Explaining Injustice: The Interactive Effect of Explanation and Outcome on Fairness Perceptions and Task Motivation

Abstract

This study examined the effects of providing an explanation on procedural fairness, distributive fairness, and task motivation under both favorable and unfavorable outcome conditions. Participants (N = 164) arrayed in three-person groups made a selection decision concerning which of two candidates would be better at a brainstorming task, with the understanding that the chosen candidate would be added to their group. The experimenter could choose to uphold or overrule the group’s decision, creating the manipulation of outcome favorability. Our results showed that the outcome favorability manipulation, and participants’ self-reported outcome expectations, moderated the effects of providing an explanation, such that an explanation had the most positive effects in light of unexpected, unfavorable outcomes.