Cognitive and social effects in allocation behavior: A new view on loci of developmental differences

Abstract

Allocations become more equitable with age in America but not in Asia. The authors hypothesized that age affects perception of inputs but a combination of perceived inputs and social value determines allocation behavior. The subtractive model guided data gathering from Chinese in Singapore. Experiment 1 confirmed the Asian age-trend, and demonstrated age differences in perceived inputs. Rated importance of perceived inputs decreased but that of group harmony increased from 5 to 17 years. In Experiment 2, the relationship between perception of 'fair' shares driven by perceived inputs and pay allocations by 11-15-year-olds was non-linear, showing considerable adjustments in allocation behavior. In Experiment 3, allocation behaviors and perceived inputs of 5-21-year-olds had the Asian and American age-trends, respectively. Obviously, allocation behavior in Asia is a compromise between the conflicting prescriptions of cognitive and social development.