“The More the Merrier”: The Effect of Multiple Comparisons on the Perceived Fairness of Distributional Policies

Abstract

This study investigates whether the introduction of multiple comparisons affects ratings of fairness and acceptance of unequal distributional polices. 380 participants of a nationally representative UK sample completed an online survey presenting a scenario of an oncoming heatwave posing health impacts to residents of elderly care facilities. The participants then made ratings of fairness and acceptability of a total of 8 allocations of resources with varying levels of unequal distributions and number of recipient groups in the form of care facilities. Results show that the level of inequality of distributions are inversely related to ratings of fairness and acceptance. And that distributions with a greater number of recipient groups are rated as more fair and more acceptable. The results suggest that dividing recipient groups into multiple smaller groups is a viable tool for policymakers to increase perceptions of fairness and acceptability of distributional policies.