Deriving equity from expectations: A cross-cultural evaluation

This paper develops and evaluates a new model for predicting just rewards. The model produces point predictions for individual just rewards based on status characteristics and the expected value of a valued good. The equity model borrows from Berger and colleagues’ (1998) reward expectations theory the ability to define different reward expectations. Drawing from Melamed and Walker’s (2010) recent generalization of the mathematics of reward expectations theory, I illustrate how the model generates a continuous distribution of just rewards. The general model is applied to data from thirteen countries using the International Social Justice Project. The results illustrate the predictive power of the model using data from over 10,000 respondents. Implications and future directions are discussed.

► This paper develops two formal models of just rewards.
► A procedure for modeling graded status characteristics is applied to the models.
► Data from 13 countries show support for the models.