Equity rewards the true self: True-self attributions drive perceptions of equity-based justice.

= 5,972) tested this claim. Studies 1 and 2 found that true-self attributions for individuals' inputs had a causal effect on perceived equity-based justice of and support for a proportional distribution policy and that perceived informativeness of those inputs mediated this effect. Study 3 next manipulated the informativeness of individuals' inputs and found a direct causal effect on equity-based justice and support for proportional distribution policies, even while holding constant related attributional dimensions such as controllability. Study 4 then provided ecologically valid evidence for the hypothesis using a nationally representative correlational survey. Implications for research on the true self, essentialism, equity-based distributive justice, and merit are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).