Olga Białobrzeska
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Warsaw
Konrad Bocian
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sopot
Michał Parzuchowski
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sopot
Natalia Frankowska
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sopot
Bogdan Wojciszke
SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Sopot
Abstract:
Are people able to objectively evaluate fairness of the principles ruling the distribution of goods? Such principles often encourage or threaten their own interests and as such people may lose objectivity. But maybe howling injustice is evaluated positively if it is in favour of ones interest? We present three experiments, that aim to verify the hypothesis that engagement of ones interest distorts the evaluation of the principles of fairness of distribution of goods. Consequently, principles serving ones interest are regarded as more just. In Pilot Study (N = 34) doctoral students considered controversial scholarship regulations to be more just when it was in favour of their own interest. In Experiment 1 (N = 97) men evaluated unequal treatment of women in job environment as just when it favoured their own sex. In Experiment 2 (N = 80) go-cart racetrack users evaluated racing rules as more just when they benefited from them, but not when they were beneficial to others. We discuss the observed effects in reference to automatic egocentrism conception (Epley & Caruso, 2004).
Keywords:egotism, morality, corruption, distributive justice
Cite this article as:
Białobrzeska, O., Bocian, K., Parzuchowski, M., Frankowska, N., Wojciszke, B. (2015). It's not fair if I dont gain from it: Engaging self-interest distorts the assessment of distributive justice. Psychologia Społeczna, 33, 149-162. doi: 10.7366/1896180020153303