I Loved What I Got Till I Saw What You Got!

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?