Gender Differences in Aversion to Advantageous Inequity: The Role of Anticipated Guilt

Abstract: Equity theory distinguishes two types of inequity. Although extensive research has examined reactions to disadvantageous inequity (receiving less than one deserves), responses to advantageous inequity (receiving more than one deserves) remain comparatively understudied. Drawing on relational self-construal theory and the interpersonal functions of guilt, we predicted that women would exhibit stronger aversion to advantageous inequity than men, and that this effect would be mediated by guilt proneness—the dispositional tendency to anticipate negative affect. Across three pre-registered studies (N = 1,657), we found robust support for these predictions. Women demonstrated greater aversion to advantageous inequity across dispositional measures (Study 1), attitudinal responses (Study 2), and incentive-compatible behavior (Study 3). Guilt proneness consistently mediated the difference, even after controlling for alternative mechanisms. These findings reveal a systematic gender difference in responses to receiving undeserved advantages, with implications for psychological barriers to value claiming in organizational contexts.

Keywords: Gender Differences, Inequity, Equity, Advantageous Inequity, Guilt Proneness