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Just-world phenomenon

Explanations > Theories > Just-world phenomenon

Description | Research | Example | So What? | See also | References

Description

We tend to believe that the world is, on the whole, fair, and that wrongs will be punished and rights rewarded at some time in the indeterminate future.

The Bible agrees: 'whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.' (Galatians 6:7). The Christian religion also includes the potential for reward and punishment to be meted out after death in the fields of heaven or fires of hell.

This attitude helps us make sense of the world as we translate events as being just, fore-ordained or inevitable.

This is also a mindset of bullies, who believe that they are punishing their victims.

Research

A number of studies have shown beliefs that people who suffer deserve it and have brought their ills upon themselves.

Example

A common belief is that homeless people are obviously lazy, whilst rich people probably got their wealth through diligent hard work.

So What?

Using it

Help people attribute cause where it serves your purpose.

Defending

Be charitable. Beware of assuming the unfortunate deserve what they get.

See also

Beliefs, Attribution Theory, Stereotypes

References

Lerner and Simmons (1966), Lerner (1980)

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Site Menu

| Home | Top | Quick Links | Settings |

Main sections: | Disciplines | Techniques | Principles | Explanations | Theories |

Other sections: | Blog! | Quotes | Guest articles | Analysis | Books | Help |

More pages: | Contact | Caveat | About | Students | Webmasters | Awards | Guestbook | Feedback | Sitemap | Changes |

Settings: | Computer layout | Mobile layout | Small font | Medium font | Large font | Translate |

Please help and share:

Quick links

Disciplines

* Argument
* Brand management
* Change Management
* Coaching
* Communication
* Counseling
* Game Design
* Human Resources
* Job-finding
* Leadership
* Marketing
* Politics
* Propaganda
* Rhetoric
* Negotiation
* Psychoanalysis
* Sales
* Sociology
* Storytelling
* Teaching
* Warfare
* Workplace design

Techniques

* Assertiveness
* Body language
* Change techniques
* Closing techniques
* Conversation
* Confidence tricks
* Conversion
* Creative techniques
* General techniques
* Happiness
* Hypnotism
* Interrogation
* Language
* Listening
* Negotiation tactics
* Objection handling
* Propaganda
* Problem-solving
* Public speaking
* Questioning
* Using repetition
* Resisting persuasion
* Self-development
* Sequential requests
* Storytelling
* Stress Management
* Tipping
* Using humor
* Willpower

Principles

Explanations

* Behaviors
* Beliefs
* Brain stuff
* Conditioning
* Coping Mechanisms
* Critical Theory
* Culture
* Decisions
* Emotions
* Evolution
* Gender
* Games
* Groups
* Habit
* Identity
* Learning
* Meaning
* Memory
* Motivation
* Models
* Needs
* Personality
* Power
* Preferences
* Research
* Relationships
* SIFT Model
* Social Research
* Stress
* Trust
* Values

Theories

* Alphabetic list
* Theory types

And

– About
– Guest Articles
– Blog!
– Books
– Changes
– Contact
– Guestbook
– Quotes
– Students
– Webmasters

| Home | Top | Menu | Quick Links |

© Changing Works 2002-
Massive Content — Maximum Speed