PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF PROCESS-CONTROL EFFECTS

The psychological mechanisms underlying process-control effects-the tendency to evaluate a decision-making process more favorably when given an opportunity to express one's views before the decision is made-were examined. The hypothesis was that process-control effects would disappear for the favorable component of an outcome. This pattern was confirmed in a survey of Hong Kong citizens who were affected by a new subway-fare scheme. Several critical conditions that may qualify process-control effects were also tested. For perceived procedural fairness, the belief that citizens' views were considered and that the subway authority acted in good faith were found to be critical factors. For distributive fairness and reactions to the new fare scheme, the perceived favorableness of the new fare scheme was the critical factor. Implications of these findings for theories of procedural justice are discussed.