Chapter 7: Distribution of Tasks: A View from the Social Psychology of Justice

This chapter presents a framework for the study of the distribution of tasks in social systems. The approach builds on social psychological theory and research on distributive justice. The framework considers three sets of variables: Arrangements and rules which can be used in the distribution of tasks, the nature of tasks to be distributed and the nature of social systems. Based upon these variables and their interrelations, research questions and hypotheses are derived. The empirical studies which are reported in the chapter serve to illustrate how one can proceed in the empirical study of the distribution of tasks and provide some preliminary findings. The concluding discussion points to limitations of the presented framework and research, addresses some neglected topics, and suggests research questions which need to be studied in the future.