Inequity aversion

Inequity aversion (IA) is the preference for fairness and resistance to incidental inequalities.^[1] The social sciences that study inequity aversion include sociology, economics, psychology, anthropology, and ethology. Researchers on inequity aversion aim to explain behaviors that are not purely driven by self-interests but fairness considerations.

In some literature, the terminology inequality aversion was used in the places of inequity aversion.^[2][3] The discourses in social studies argue that "inequality" pertains to the gap between the distribution of resources, while "inequity" pertains to the fundamental and institutional unfairness.^[4] Therefore, the choice between using inequity or inequality aversion may depend on the specific context.