Source: (2009) Social Justice Research. 22:156-180.
Previous research considering reactions to injustice has focused predominantly
on retributive (i.e., punitive) responses. Restorative justice, a relatively
understudied concept, suggests an alternative justice response which emphasizes
bilateral discussion in an attempt to reach a consensus about the meaning of the
offense and how to address the transgression. The current research explores the
additional contribution of restorative justice processes, examining the extent to
which bilateral consensus is viewed as a fairer response to transgressions than
unilateral decisions. Results show that, independent of the punishment, restorative
responses are generally regarded as fairer than nonrestorative responses. And
compared to punishment, which tends to be moderated by offender intent and
seriousness of the harm, restorative responses are regarded as particularly fair when
the involved parties share an identity. Findings suggest the importance of distinguishing
retributive justice from a ‘‘restorative notion of justice’’—a notion that
focuses on addressing concerns over the maintenance of existing social relationships
and identity-defining values.(author’s abstract)
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