What psychological effect does the just-world phenomenon influence regarding social justice?

The just-world phenomenon is a cognitive bias that suggests people have a tendency to believe that the world is fair and that individuals get what they deserve. This belief often leads to the conclusion that victims of misfortune must have done something to deserve their fate, which in turn supports victim-blaming attitudes. When people assume that outcomes are deserved, they may overlook systemic factors and inequities that contribute to someone's suffering or disadvantage.

For instance, someone might think, "If a person is homeless, it must be due to their own poor choices," rather than considering broader social issues like lack of affordable housing or mental health support. This kind of reasoning reinforces existing social injustices and undermines empathy for those who are suffering. Thus, the just-world phenomenon essentially encourages individuals to rationalize unfairness rather than challenge it, leading to the displacement of responsibility away from societal structures that perpetuate inequity.

In contrast, beliefs that discourage the idea of fairness would diminish the mechanism of the just-world phenomenon, while promoting equal opportunities and encouraging social reform would run counter to the victim-blaming mentality that this phenomenon fosters.