Just World Belief (JWB) is a cognitive belief of people that assumes that actions have morally just and appropriate consequences for the actor. This theory has been widely researched in the literature, with a focus on negative social effects and positive psychological effects. In particular, the subjective experience of justice seems to be relevant, since experienced in-justice can have devastating consequences on an individual level (depression, aggression, et cetera) as well as on a group or societal level (conflicts, protests, et cetera). Accordingly, JWB theory is an interesting approach to the study and explanation of social behaviour in groups and societies. Presented here is a systematic literature review of current studies on the causes and effects of JWB in order to identify the current state of scientific knowledge and relevant trends, and to uncover potential interesting avenues of inquiry for the future. To this end, following a brief presentation of the theoretical background, a systematic literature review and analysis will be conducted and its results presented and discussed.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theoretical background
2.1. Basic terms
2.1.1. Justice
2.1.2. Belief
2.2. Just World Belief
2.2.1. Classification
2.2.2. Concept
2.2.3. Rationale for the research question
3. Method
3.1. On the method
3.1.1. The systematic literature search
3.1.2. Structure of the systematic literature search
3.2. Procedure
3.2.1. Concretization of the topic and the research question
3.2.2. Selection of databases and search terms
3.2.3. Determination of the inclusion and exclusion criteria
4. Results
4.1. Data collection
4.2. Analysis of results
4.2.1. Development of Just World Belief
4.2.2. Capture of Just World Belief
4.2.3. Effects of Just World Belief
4.2.4. Personal and general Just World Belief
5. Discussion
5.1. Evaluation
5.1.1. Evaluation of the scientificity of the method
5.1.2. Evaluation of the quality of the results
5.2. Main research strands and results
5.3. Limitations of the results
Research Objectives and Topics
This thesis aims to provide a comprehensive systematic literature review of current scientific studies concerning the causes and effects of "Just World Belief." The central research question focuses on how this topic is treated in recent literature, particularly regarding its development and psychological effects, to identify research trends, gaps, and potential avenues for future investigation.
- Theoretical foundations of the "Just World Belief" theory and justice motives.
- Methodological analysis of current scientific literature trends and evaluation criteria.
- Developmental factors, including parental and environmental influences on beliefs.
- Effects of Just World Belief on individual psychological resources, mental health, and prosocial or aversive behaviors.
- Comparative analysis of personal versus general Just World Belief across different cultural contexts.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.2. Concept
The concept of "Belief in a Just World" goes back to Melvin Lerner (1965) (Fladerer, 2016, p. 83; Maes, 1998). According to this concept, there is a belief that good people are rewarded and bad people are punished (Lerner, 1971).
The central hypothesis of this concept is that the individual can thus create order for himself or herself in a world that is otherwise characterized by chaos (Fladerer, 2016; Leveresque, 2011). The belief thus enables the individual to encounter his or her physical and social environment as if it were stable and orderly (Lerner & Miller 1978). This belief thus provides the individual with a sense of security, as he or she is thus in control of his or her own destiny (Leveresque, 2011). Therefore, the Just World Belief fulfills important adaptive functions and the individual is accordingly motivated to protect this belief (Dalbert, 1999, p. 79). Thus, the belief in a just world favors well-being because that spurs individuals to act justly. In contrast, however, victims of unjust behavior are devalued because the individual tries to mitigate perceived injustice and thus strengthen his or her belief in a just world (Fladerer, 2016; Leveresque, 2011).
As a consequence, the vilification of victims reduces the cognitive dissonance of the respective perpetrator, as the responsibility for the act is shifted to the victim, for instance by claiming that he or she is responsible for the circumstances due to his or her moral weaknesses (Leveresque, 2011). For example, prejudice is also justified on the basis that the persons against whom it is directed are guilty (Myers, 2014, p. 625). In this context, the greater the perceived injustice, the stronger the devaluation of victims can be (Herkner, 1996, p. 439).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the basic definition of Just World Belief and outlines the motivation for a systematic review to identify current scientific trends and research avenues.
2. Theoretical background: Provides foundations on justice and belief systems, classifies Just World Belief within motive theory, and outlines the rationale for the research question.
3. Method: Describes the application of systematic literature research, including the structured procedure for database selection, search strategy, and definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria.
4. Results: Details the collection of literature and provides a comprehensive analysis of findings regarding the development, measurement, and diverse effects of Just World Belief.
5. Discussion: Evaluates the scientific quality and reliability of the method and results, synthesizes the main research strands, and addresses limitations such as sample biases.
Keywords
Just World Belief, Psychology, Systematic Review, Justice Motive, Mental Health, Prosocial Behavior, Victim Devaluation, Developmental Psychology, Cultural Differences, Personal Just World Belief, General Just World Belief, Self-Efficacy, Social Justice, Research Methodology, Empirical Studies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this research?
The work provides a systematic literature review to map the current state of scientific knowledge on "Just World Belief," examining how it is defined, developed, and how it impacts individual behavior and psychological well-being.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key areas include the developmental origins of beliefs, the distinction between personal and general Just World Belief, and the impact of these beliefs on mental health, social status, and prosocial versus aversive behaviors.
What is the primary scientific goal?
The goal is to analyze recent academic publications to provide an up-to-date overview, summarize core findings, identify research strands, and highlight existing gaps for future investigations.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author employs a systematic literature review, utilizing databases like PsycInfo and PsycArticles. The process follows strict inclusion and exclusion criteria, focusing on peer-reviewed, high-quality journals to ensure reproducibility and reliability.
What does the main body address?
The main part synthesizes existing research into three streams: development, measurement strategies, and various effects—ranging from how people cope with adversity to how they are evaluated socially based on their expressed beliefs.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Central keywords include Just World Belief, systematic literature review, justice motives, prosocial behavior, victim devaluation, and psychological resources.
How does personal Just World Belief differ from general Just World Belief in its impact?
The research clarifies that while they correlate, personal Just World Belief is often stronger and uniquely predicts positive well-being and social outcomes, whereas general beliefs may be more context-dependent and relate to social justification processes.
How is the "victim blaming" phenomenon explained in the text?
The text explains that victims are often devalued to reduce cognitive dissonance; by blaming the victim for their circumstances, the individual strengthens their belief that the world is inherently fair and orderly.
What role does culture play in the findings discussed?
The text notes that cultural background (e.g., China vs. Western countries) impacts how Just World Belief manifests, particularly regarding social hierarchy, the influence of philosophical traditions, and the generalizability of results across populations.
- Quote paper
- Caroline Biesalski (Author), 2022, Belief in a Just World. A systematic review, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1499699
