Fair procedures signal group membership value and shape self-esteem, not just resource stability

Evidence

The first relational model proposed in the procedural justice literature is the group value model (Lind & Tyler, 1988). It posits that people are concerned about the fairness of the procedures used by the group not only because fair procedures increase the long-term stability of the resources they wish to obtain from the group, but more importantly, because the fairness of the procedures also sends a symbolic message that they are valued by the group and worthy of receiving respectful treatment. Such information, therefore, informs people of their own status within the group and enhances people’s sense of esteem and identity (e.g., Koper et al., 1993; Tyler & Smith, 1999). — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 2329