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Toward Reconciling Equity Theory and Insufficient Justification

University of Rochester

Harry T. Reis

University of Rochester

Elizabeth J. Johnston

University of Rochester

Raymond Smith

University of Rochester

Equity theory and insufficient justification theory seem to make discrepant predictions about how a person will respond to being inequitably underpaid. The equity prediction is that underpaid subjects will be dissatisfied and work less hard than equitably paid subjects; the insufficient justification (or task enhancement) prediction is that underpaid subjects will enhance their attitudes toward the task to justify doing it and in turn work harder than equitably paid subjects. This study has shown that both responses occur, but in different situations. When there was some ambiguity about the inequity, subjects restored equity by enhancing their attitudes toward the task and inputs to the situation; whereas when there was no ambiguity, subjects restored equity by being less satisfied and working less hard.

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