Observers' reactions to allocations in relation to input of allocator, type of distribution, and protestant ethic values

Male and female subjects read a description of a task situation in which two persons (allocator and recipient of unknown sex) worked together, one person obtaining a high score, the other a low score, and in which the allocator then distributed a $10 payment either equally (that is irrespective of performance) or equitably (that is, in accordance with performance input). The results showed that subjects were more positive in various ways to a high‐input, equal allocator and to a low‐input, equitable allocator than to a high‐input, equitable allocator or to a low‐input, equitable allocator than to a high‐input, equitable allocator or to a low‐input, equal allocator. Subjects' reactions to the allocation and to the allocator were mainly unrelated to Protestant Ethic Values assessed by the Mirels and Garrett scale. There was some evidence that female subjects were more in favour of equal allocations when compared with male subjects but, in general, individual difference variables had limited effects and the situational variables were dominant. 1983 Australian Psychological Society