On the differentiation of an implicit and a self-attributed justice motive

Abstract

This chapter deals with the Dissociation Model of the justice motive. The first part of the chapter presents the theoretical background to justice motive theory (Dalbert, 2001), namely the just world hypothesis (Lerner, 1980). The Dissociation Model assumes an implicit justice motive that is triggered by justice-relevant cues, operates on an intuitive level outside subjective awareness, and is particularly relevant in explaining intuitive justice-specific reactions. This implicit justice motive can be differentiated from an explicit or self-attributed justice motive that is part of the self-concept, is triggered by social clues, and is better able to explain controlled reactions. The explicit justice motive is satisfied and reinforced by social reactions and the reinforcement of the self-concept, whereas the implicit justice motive is satisfied by justice in itself. The second part of the chapter describes two lines of research investigating the Dissociation Model. Overall, the results emerging from both strands of research support the Dissociation Model. The implicit justice motive as indicated by the belief in a just world operates independently of the self-attributed justice motive. Furthermore, the implicit justice motive explains striving for justice as an aim in itself, as expressed in the just allocation of resources or the just distribution of punishment for wrongdoing.