Integration theory applied to children's judgments of equity.

Studied information integration in judgments of deservingness and fair shares in 3 experiments using 4–8 yr old children. Even the youngest children had a well-developed sense of equity, and no age trends were found in this respect. Integrational capacity increased with age, but even some of the 4-yr-olds were able to integrate 4 pieces of information. Centration tendencies were absent. At a quantitative level, the data support 3 algebraic models: an averaging model for deservingness, a ratio model for equity division, and an equity integration model for multidimensional equity judgments. These results add to the evidence for a cognitive algebra of children's judgments. The importance of analysis at the level of the individual child is stressed. (37 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)