Which phenomenon is characterized by the belief that people get what they deserve?

The belief that people get what they deserve is known as the just-world phenomenon. This concept suggests that individuals have a tendency to believe that the world is a fair place, and as a result, they assume that outcomes in life are a direct result of one's actions. This belief can lead individuals to think that good people are rewarded and bad people are punished.

The just-world phenomenon can have significant implications in how people perceive others' hardships or misfortunes. For instance, when someone experiences failure or suffering, observers might rationalize it as being deserved based on the individual's character or actions, reinforcing their belief in a just and orderly world. This can affect social attitudes and behaviors towards those in difficulty, influencing issues of empathy and social justice.

Other concepts, such as self-serving bias, deal with how people attribute their own successes and failures to personal traits and circumstances rather than external factors. The fundamental attribution error refers to the tendency to attribute others' behaviors too strongly to their character while underestimating situational influences. Optimistic bias involves the belief that one is less likely than others to experience negative events. While these biases influence perceptions of self and others, none specifically encapsulates the belief in a just world as clearly as the just-world phenomenon does.