Transactional fairness may be inherent and is expected

Science Daily/American Psychological Association (APA), 7/24/14. "Humans share fairness concerns with other species."  

Working at becoming fair and perfect

"Humans aren't the only species to react strongly to actions they consider unfair. A similar drive for fairness in monkeys and some dogs may offer insight into people's desire for equity, according to experts presenting at the upcoming American Psychological Association's 122nd Annual Convention, August 7, 2014. 

....  Responses to Inequity in Non-human Primates.  Sarah Brosnan, PhD, of Georgia State University, will talk about how research involving chimpanzees, monkeys, gorillas and other non-human primates has shown that other species respond to unfairness and it appears to help in cooperation. For example, chimpanzees and capuchin monkeys will refuse a reward for a task completed with a partner if the partner receives a better reward, according to one of Brosnan's experiments. Brosnan will talk about how these results help us to better understand the evolution of humans' own sense of fairness. 

....  An Economic Perspective on Fairness.  Kevin McCabe, PhD, of George Mason University, will present research from economics experiments suggesting that people's sense of fairness depends on whether they consider the behavior acceptable. He will then examine brain imaging research that suggests people's desire to act fairly and to respond to fair and unfair behavior has evolved over time. One study talks about how trusting a person to share returns equitably on a financial investment is more likely to stimulate reward-related areas of the brain if that person has a reputation for acting fairly."    Read article.

Related -  Science Daily/University of Missouri-Columbia, 424/14. "Small business owners not always worried about being treated fairly researcher finds. "Businesses constantly are concerned about the importance of fairness in their relations with customers," Scheer said. "However, less emphasis is placed on views of fairness among different business partners.

Note: graphic from Super Consciousness Media, the voice for human potential.

Posted by Kathy Meeh