Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
Extrinsic incentives can shape inequity aversion in primary school children
Wen Lei1, Xiaojie Zhong1, Heming Gao1
1School of Psychology, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian 116029, China.
Abstract:
This study investigates how extrinsic incentives influence inequity aversion in primary school children, using the inequity game (Experiment 1) and third-party (Experiment 2) punishment paradigms. Third-graders (8-year-olds) and fifth-graders (10-year-olds) decided whether to accept or reject equitable, disadvantageous inequity, and advantageous inequity allocations, with or without extrinsic rewards for rejecting unfairness. Results showed that extrinsic incentives enhanced the rejection of inequality offers across both grades. However, fifth graders demonstrated a more internalized form of inequity aversion, with high rejection rates even without incentives. In contrast, third graders exhibited more context-dependent responses, where incentives played a stronger role in motivating punishment, particularly in the third-party context. Furthermore, in the third-party paradigm, incentives prompted fifth graders to punish disadvantageous inequity more lightly than advantageous inequity, indicating a refined sensitivity to intentional unfairness when self-interest was removed. These findings suggest that extrinsic incentives can shape fairness norms in children.
Related Concept Videos
Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
The theory differentiates between intrinsic and...
Primary and Secondary Reinforcers
Effective reinforcers for humans vary depending on the individual and the context. Primary reinforcers, such as food, water, sleep, shelter, and pleasure, have inherent value and satisfy basic biological...
Equity Theory
Motivational Bias
Secondary Motives: Affiliation Motivation and Aggression Motivation
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
