The effects of reference points on fairness judgments
Author
Akar, Betul
Advisor
Karagözoğlu, Emin
Date
2014Publisher
Bilkent University
Language
English
Type
ThesisItem Usage Stats
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Abstract
In this study, we empirically investigate the effects of reference points on fairness
judgments with the help of the vignette technique. Specifically, we examine (i)
whether reference points have influence on fairness judgments or not, (ii) if and how
counter-intuitive reference points influence fairness judgments, and (iii) how the
asymmetry of reference points shape fairness judgments. For that purpose, we use a
within-subject design, in which participants are confronted with three versions of
vignette: vignettes without reference point, vignettes with salient reference point, and
vignettes with counter-intuitive reference point. Consequently, our findings suggest
that (i) the reference points significantly influence fairness judgments, (ii)
introducing counter-intuitive reference points moderate the salience of reference
points, and (iii) the asymmetry of salient reference points has a concave relationship
with fairness judgments, while the asymmetry of counter-intuitive reference points
does not affect fairness judgments.