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| Cosmic Justice 2024 Geoffrey Sutton & Designer AI |
The just world
hypothesis, according to Lerner and Miller (1978), “states that people have a
need to believe that their environment is a just and orderly place where people
usually get what they deserve (p. 1030).”
Cite this Post (APA)
Author: Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD
Sutton, G. W. (2019, August 12). Just world hypothesis: A mythical faith Psychology Concepts and Theories. https://suttonpsychology.blogspot.com/2019/08/just-world-hypothesis.html
In Lerner’s
view, the just world hypothesis focuses on people who observe others' suffering and interpret the observation in a way that avoids believing that they too could suffer, or at least suffer unjustly. To cope
with the discomfort, observers may act to ensure justice happens for the
victims or conclude that the victims suffer because of something they have
done.
In
experimental research, the information provided to participants who observe suffering
influences the attitude of the participants toward the person who was the
victim.
If there is
evidence that what happened to the victim is not likely to affect the observer
then, a victim derogation effect ("blame the victim") may be
seen.
An empathy
effect may reduce victim-blaming as seen in a study when participants
were asked to imagine themselves in the victim’s situation.
Religiosity
may be a factor.
In one
study, those who were more highly religious did not respond differently to
victims in different suffering contexts as did those low on religiosity, which may suggest that the highly religious believe justice will prevail—if
not in this world, then in the world to come.
The biblical story of Job appears to represent a struggle to understand why bad things happen to good people. In the New Testament, the disciples asked Jesus to explain a man's blindness by telling them who sinned--the man or his parents. Jesus did not endorse either cause (John 9: 1-12). The story reveals an enduring belief among some religious adherents that people suffer because of personal, family, or even national sin.
Measurement
A few
scales have been developed to assess just world beliefs. One example is the Just
World Belief Scale by Vondehaar & Carmody (2015). Another is the Global Beliefs in a Just World Scale (Lipkus, 1991).
Other
terms
Other terms
for the just world hypothesis include just world theory, just world fallacy, and the
just world effect. A related phrase is blaming the victim.
Application
Just world theory may explain why people blame the victims of sexual and other forms of physical abuse and various crimes. Rape victims and victims of sexual harassment have been accused of having a responsible role in the harm done to them. People who suffer from an illness or the effects of substance use disorders may be viewed as suffering as the result of poor choices. The theory may also explain the lack of concern for harm done to prisoners as if they deserve whatever they suffer in prison.
Application
Just world theory may explain why people blame the victims of sexual and other forms of physical abuse and various crimes. Rape victims and victims of sexual harassment have been accused of having a responsible role in the harm done to them. People who suffer from an illness or the effects of substance use disorders may be viewed as suffering as the result of poor choices. The theory may also explain the lack of concern for harm done to prisoners as if they deserve whatever they suffer in prison.
References
Furnham A. & Boston, N. (1996) Theories of rape and the just world, Psychology, Crime & Law, 2:3, 211-229, DOI: 10.1080/10683169608409779
Gravelin, C. R., Biernat, M., & Bucher, C. E. (2019). Blaming the Victim of Acquaintance Rape: Individual, Situational, and Sociocultural Factors. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2422. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02422
Lerner, M. J., & Miller, D. T. (1978). Just world research and the attribution process: Looking back and ahead. Psychological Bulletin, 85(5), 1030–1051. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.85.5.1030
Vonderhaar, Rebecca L., & Carmody, Dianne Cyr. (2015). There are no “innocent victims”: The influence of just world beliefs and prior victimization on rape myth acceptance. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30(10), 1615-1632. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260514549196
Post Author: Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD
Geoffrey W. Sutton, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Evangel University, holds a master’s degree in counseling and a PhD in psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia. His postdoctoral work encompassed education and supervision in forensic and neuropsychology and psychopharmacology. As a licensed psychologist, he conducted clinical and neuropsychological evaluations and provided psychotherapy for patients in various settings, including schools, hospitals, and private offices. During his tenure as a professor, Dr. Sutton taught courses on psychotherapy, assessment, and research. He has authored over one hundred publications, including books, book chapters, and articles in peer-reviewed psychology journals.
His website is https://suttong.com
Many publications are free to download at ResearchGate and Academia
Find chapters and essays on Substack. [ @GeoffreyWSutton ]
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