ABSTRACT
The central theme of this chapter is the assertion that experienced injustice increases stress, while experienced justice reduces stress. The resulting stress is moderate under some conditions, but high under other conditions. Specifically, when unfairness is experienced over a long period, chronic stress may result. The roles of the major players of an allocation event are different under conditions of moderate stress as compared to high stress. If the unfairness is evaluated as a challenge, stress is moderate, and recipient and observer make attempts to reduce the unfairness. This was the topic of Chapter 7. If, however, chronic stress is experienced, the recipient becomes immobilized. The unfairness is experienced as a threat. In that case, the actor is the main player who can reduce the recipient’s stress. This will be the topic of Chapter 8.
