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Questions and Answers
What is the main premise of the Just-World hypothesis?
What is the main premise of the Just-World hypothesis?
Which concept did William J. Ryan introduce in 1971?
Which concept did William J. Ryan introduce in 1971?
According to the content, what effect does the Just-World hypothesis have on individuals?
According to the content, what effect does the Just-World hypothesis have on individuals?
Which behavioral traits are associated with firm believers in the Just-World hypothesis?
Which behavioral traits are associated with firm believers in the Just-World hypothesis?
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Why might someone blame victims of misfortune according to the Just-World hypothesis?
Why might someone blame victims of misfortune according to the Just-World hypothesis?
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Study Notes
Attribution Theory Context
- Fritz Heider (1958): Initiated study on how individuals attribute causes to their surroundings and behavior.
- Edward E. Jones and Keith Davis (1965): Proposed that attribution helps uncover a person’s basic nature through their behaviors and intentions.
- William J. Ryan (1971): Coined "victim blaming," highlighting its role in justifying social injustices and racism.
- Zick Rubin and Letitia Peplau (1975): Found a correlation between belief in a "Just World" and traits like authoritarianism, religiosity, and support for existing social structures.
Just-World Hypothesis
- Core Belief: People inherently want to feel they live in a fair world where "people get what they deserve."
- Psychological Comfort: Assumption of fairness contributes to feelings of control and stability.
- Destructive Misconception: The belief in deserving outcomes can obscure reality, leading to harmful judgments about those suffering misfortune.
- Rationalization of Events: The Just-World theory serves as a comforting explanation for random or chaotic events, maintaining a sense of order.
- Victim Blaming Mechanism: Blaming victims serves as a defense against personal vulnerability, reinforcing the idea that misfortune is tied to personal failings rather than random chance.
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Description
Explore the key concepts of attribution theory as presented by Melvin Lerner. This quiz delves into the historical context and evolution of how individuals attribute behavior and intentions to reveal underlying characteristics. Test your understanding of important psychological contributions from Heider, Jones, and Davis.
