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.