A tale of two theories: Integrating the uncertainty management and group value models of justice
Three studies - a vignette study, a survey, and a laboratory experiment - were conducted to reconcile two of the most dominant theories in the justice literature, the uncertainty management and group value theories. These studies hypothesize and find an interactive pattern that reconciles these theories. In particular, they find that the predictions of the uncertainty management model hold among those with low, but not high, group identification. This effect is demonstrated on perceptions of fairness, reactions to treatment, and desire for social change. This pattern was expected because group identification neutralizes the threats posed by uncertainty. That is, group identification itself helps individuals manage uncertainty and thus reduces the need for the uncertainty-reducing function served by fair treatment. In addition to integrating two of the central theories in the justice literature, these studies also identify support for social change as a critical variable for future research on justice effects.
