Experimental research on just-world theory: Problems, developments, and future challenges
Hafer and Bègue review the experimental research on just-world theory since the nineteen eighties. Lerner proposed that people need to believe in a just world, so evidence that it is unjust is threatening and people use various strategies to reduce the threat. The article describes two ways of conceptualising belief in a just world, explains the typical experimental paradigms and gives an overview of the later experiments. It then discusses problems in this literature, including its unsystematic nature, and future challenges.
Hafer and Bègue review the experimental research on just-world theory since the nineteen eighties. Lerner proposed that people need to believe in a just world, so evidence that it is unjust is threatening and people use various strategies to reduce the threat. The article describes two ways of conceptualising belief in a just world, explains the typical experimental paradigms and gives an overview of the later experiments. It then discusses problems in this literature, including its unsystematic nature, and future challenges.
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Hafer, C. L., & Bègue, L. (2005). Experimental research on just-world theory: Problems, developments, and future challenges. Psychological Bulletin, 131(1), 128-167. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.128 https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.131.1.128