What does fairness in outcome distribution relate to?

Fairness in outcome distribution pertains specifically to distributive justice, which focuses on the perceived fairness of the outcomes received following a decision or process. Distributive justice assesses whether individuals feel the rewards, benefits, and resources are distributed in a fair manner, often based on contributions, effort, or need. This concept emphasizes that individuals compare their outcomes with those of others to determine fairness, leading to feelings of satisfaction or dissatisfaction based on that comparison.

In contrast, expectancy theory is more focused on the belief that effort leads to performance and that performance leads to desired outcomes; it does not directly address fairness in distribution. Procedural justice, on the other hand, concentrates on the fairness of the processes and methods used to determine the outcomes rather than the outcomes themselves. Lastly, equity theory, while it does touch upon fairness and balances between inputs and outputs, specifically revolves around the ratio of what individuals contribute versus what they receive, which is a broader concept that encompasses but is not solely focused on outcome distribution. Therefore, distributive justice is the most accurate term that encapsulates fairness in outcome distribution.