Work

Perceptions of Economic Fairness Positively Affect Altruistic Punishment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Altruistic punishment involves punishers incurring costs to penalize norm violators for the benefit of the group or others. Through five studies, this article explored how and when perceptions of economic fairness affect altruistic punishment. Study 1 found a positive relationship between perceptions of economic fairness and two forms of altruistic punishment: Reporting Social Problems and Protesting Misbehaviour of Boss. Study 2 extended these findings to the real‐world, indicating that perceptions of economic fairness are positively associated with direct punishment but not indirect punishment. Studies 3 and 4 provide causal evidence for the above findings by manipulating perceptions of economic fairness in two different ways. Study 5 manipulated perceptions of economic fairness and outcome efficacy, indicating that the above effects only manifest under high outcome efficacy. These findings advance theoretical research on altruistic punishment, offering insights into economic and social governance.

Source: European Journal of Social Psychology

DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.3171

Authors: Shasha Yang, Sijing Chen, Yongfang Liu

Institutions: East China Normal University, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China