Adaptation level determinants of satisfaction with equal and unequal outcome distributions in skill and chance situations

Adaptation level theory predicts that satisfaction with a modal score will be lower if 1 score falls above the mode (creating a positive skew distribution) than if all scores are modal (an equal distribution) or if 1 score falls below the mode (a negative skew distribution). Thus average satisfaction may actually be increased over that of an equal distribution by lowering 1 person from the mode and decreased by raising 1 person from the mode. 72 4-person groups of friends were assigned to either a positive skew, negative skew, or equal outcome distribution apparently based either on skill or chance. The adaptation level predictions were true for scores determined by skill (and for desire to remain with the group in the skill situation) but not for scores determined by chance. Also as predicted, negative skew distributions, despite their hedonic value, were rated as least fair, with equal distributions considered most fair.