BJW and Self-Efficacy in Coping with Observed Victimization

Abstract

With the theory of “Belief in a Just World” (BJW), Lerner (1970, 1980) has given an explanation as to why people blame innocent victims for self-infliction of their fate and why they derogate innocent victims. They do so to deny injustices, respectively, to defend their belief in a just world. BJW in its most general form implies the conviction that everybody gets what he or she justly deserves. The other side of the coin is that everybody deserves what happens to him or her. When oneself or others enjoy advantages or suffer disadvantages, we care about justice. BJW motivates the search for legitimate reasons. Deservingness is the most legitimate reason for many people.