Abstract

The present research investigated the subjects' preference pattern of the outcome allocation according to their culture. In study 1, college students were classified to individualistic culture group and collectivistic culture group with Individualism-Collectivism Scale(Triandis & Gelfand, 1998). Individualistic subjects allocated their common reward in hypothetical scenario to themselves and their partner with equity norm approximately. But collectivistic subjects allocated their reward with both of equity and equality norm equally. In study 2, the preferred reward allocation norms were compared to college students (individualistic group) and workers(collectivistic group). And there was another IV was added to study 1. It was two input types (ability and effort), and equity norm was preferred when input was effort and distributor was college students. Compared to worker group, college student prefer equity norm to equality norm. These results implied that culture takes important role in reward allocation situation and differences in allocation pattern of Korean and Western people could be understood with cultural difference. But contrary to my expectations, general reward allocation pattern was at the middle of equity and equality norm in both group. Finally above results were discussed in the theoretical and practical contexts of cultural difference.