It continues to be interesting how I fall victim to the same psychological foibles I read about and teach about. I guess it shouldn't be surprising given that I am a human being (despite what some people would say).
So, I know fully well that satisfaction should be based on the absolute value of the benefit you get. If you are given $100 why should the value of the $100 diminish just because you find out that your friend was given $150? But, we know it does. It triggers the "fairness" reaction that results in people repeatedly choosing to gain nothing rather than gaining something small while your "opponent" gains a large amount. Despite puzzling classical economists, it has been considered quite normal among behavioral scientists.
So, we get our listing of department salaries this week. And though I tried to tell myself I was being irrational, I couldn't suppress a surge of frustration and anger when I see a colleague get paid significantly more than me despite a lot of other work factors being the same. Interestingly, I keep telling myself I'm being silly, but can't get rid of the feeling that maybe I should do something about it. The question is not only what? but why?
Showing posts with label fairness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fairness. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Friday, June 22, 2007
First Born Intelligence
It looks like latest research supports something I've believed for a while based on anecdotal evidence. In generally, in families with multiple children, the first born ends up being more intelligent not because of genetics but because of the way their parents treat them.
It's hard for a fish to see the water it lives in. But, I often hear comments from relatives (okay, mainly my Mom) that I seem to be harder on my eldest son than I am on the other kids. While I often brush away these comments, sometimes, when confronted with specific examples, I see how I might expect more from him than I expect from the other kids. It is so easy to compare his performance with the other kids and demand that he meet a higher standard than the others because he's "so much older."
I think it's unfair, but at least I can now rest easy knowing that it's for his good in the long run! :-)
It's hard for a fish to see the water it lives in. But, I often hear comments from relatives (okay, mainly my Mom) that I seem to be harder on my eldest son than I am on the other kids. While I often brush away these comments, sometimes, when confronted with specific examples, I see how I might expect more from him than I expect from the other kids. It is so easy to compare his performance with the other kids and demand that he meet a higher standard than the others because he's "so much older."
I think it's unfair, but at least I can now rest easy knowing that it's for his good in the long run! :-)
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