Final answer:
The statement is TRUE; fair outcomes or procedures may be seen as unfair if explained poorly, reflecting the significance of procedural justice and the effect of communication on perceptions of fairness and behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
TRUE. Fair outcomes or procedures can indeed be perceived as unfair when they are inadequately or uncaringly explained. This concept is deeply rooted in the principles of procedural justice, which is concerned with the fairness of the processes that lead to certain outcomes. An example provided by Greenberg (1993) illustrates this phenomenon in the context of workplace behavior. When students in an experiment were given a comprehensive explanation for their pay rate, the incidence of stealing was lower compared to a group that received a limited explanation. This suggests that the quality and care in communication can influence perceptions of fairness and can impact behavior significantly, such as reducing workplace violence.
The perception of fairness is not just about the end result but also the manner in which decisions are communicated and implemented. This is exemplified in legal and ethical discussions about justice and fairness, where the application of laws and punishments might be fair but not necessarily just, depending on the context and circumstances.