GENDER DIFFERENCES IN REWARD PREFERENCE - A STATUS-BASED ACCOUNT

Extensive research has explored apparent differences in task group mem bers' preferences for reward allocation. Some seem to prefer distribut ions based on equity others a distribution bared on equality. At one t ime, the research strongly suggested that men tended to prefer equity and women tended to prefer equality. However in recent years that resu lt has only been inconsistently found Using the conceptual tools of Be rger; Fisek, Norman, and Wagner's reward expectation theory, an accoun t of differences in reward preferences based on status positions in th e group is developed and tested experimentally. Basically, the reward expectation argument is that group members differentiated by status wi ll prefer equity allocations and members equated (or never differentia ted) by status will prefer equality allocations. The results strongly support the reward expectation interpretation.