The relationships among individual differences, needs and equity sensitivity

The objective of this study is to examine the influence of different facets of needs (i.e. self‐achievement, power, and affiliation needs) on the relationship between individual dispositions (i.e. independence and interdependence of self) and attitudes to equity (i.e. entitled and benevolent). Data were collected from a sample of 243 Japanese university students. Structural equation analysis and simple regression analysis were performed. As a result of structural equation analysis, needs were found to mediate the relationship. The results of simple regression analysis also showed: the stronger interdependence‐oriented people have the stronger desire for affiliation needs; individual dispositions indicated no relationships with self‐achievement and power needs; those with the stronger affiliation needs exhibited both entitled and benevolent attitudes; power needs influenced entitled attitudes; and self‐achievement needs influenced both entitled and benevolent attitudes. In terms of motivation theory, the findings also suggest that people follow expectancy theory instead of equity sensitive theory.