Understanding of Ratioproportionality Rules and EqualityVsEquity in Children's Sharing

Abstract

Summary Past researchers have disagreed concerning developmental trends in equity vs equality allocations. In the present study eight boys and eight girls from preschool, first grade, and sixth grade (N = 48) played a game which assessed the use of ratioproportionality rules, thought to be a precursor to equity allocations. In a second session, another E allowed each child to complete two tasks and then to allocate in the E's absence six prizes between him- or herself, an unseen same sex peer who had completed three tasks and a peer who had completed one task. Results indicated that although both ratioproportionality ability and the tendency to allocate in response to equity rather than equality or selfishness increased with age, these abilities were not correlated within age groups.