What does the just-world hypothesis suggest?

The just-world hypothesis posits that individuals have a strong desire to believe that the world is a fair place where individuals generally get what they deserve. This belief leads people to think that actions are typically rewarded and negative behaviors are punished, creating a comforting sense of order and predictability in life. When someone holds this belief, they may perceive that deserved outcomes occur in various situations, such as in social interactions, successes, or failures.

Because of this hypothesis, people may justify unfairness in the world, attributing the misfortunes of others to their choices or behaviors, rather than recognizing that circumstances can be arbitrary and unrelated to personal merit. This perspective can influence attitudes towards victims of misfortune, leading to victim-blaming.

The other choices reflect alternative views that do not align with the just-world hypothesis. For instance, the idea that the world is chaotic and unjust directly contradicts the belief in fairness and order that the just-world hypothesis supports. Additionally, the notion that life events are random and uncontrollable conflicts with the assumption that individual actions lead to predictable outcomes. Lastly, the view that fairness is an illusion goes against the core principle that the just-world hypothesis conveys—that people inherently believe in a just and orderly universe where fairness is real and affects individuals