How Do Observers of Victimization Preserve Their Belief in a Just World Cognitively or Actionally?

Abstract

(from the chapter) Assessed the interindividual variation and the domain specificity of Belief in a Just World (BJW). 434 18-86 yr olds completed a series of questionnaires measuring general BJW, existential guilt, and willingness to act prosocially in order to assess reaction to the disadvantaged. Ss completed the questionnaires again at a 5 mo followup session. Results show no correlation between a general BJW and the aggregated 2 actional variables Responsibility to Help the Needy and Willingness to Prosocial Action. Strategies of cognitive restoration of justice are substantially correlated with a general BJW as well as with a specific BJW. The use of cognitive restoration strategies at Time 1 has significant an substantial effects on specific BJW at Time 2 in each of the 3 domains (migrants, 3rd world countries, and unemployed). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)