Which term describes the belief that the world is just and that people get what they deserve?

Which term describes the belief that the world is just and that people get what they deserve?

• A. Karma
• B. Hindsight Bias
• C. Just-World Phenomenon
• D. Self-Serving Bias

Answer: (C)

The Just-World Phenomenon is the belief that the world is fair and that people get what they deserve. This bias leads people to rationalize others’ misfortunes by assuming those outcomes reflect the victims’ character or merit, helping maintain a sense of order and control. Karma is a religious concept about moral cause-and-effect across lifetimes, not a psychology bias. Hindsight bias is about overestimating how predictable an outcome was after it happens, and self-serving bias involves taking credit for successes while blaming others for failures. The description fits the Just-World Phenomenon.

The Just-World Phenomenon is the belief that the world is fair and that people get what they deserve. This bias leads people to rationalize others’ misfortunes by assuming those outcomes reflect the victims’ character or merit, helping maintain a sense of order and control. Karma is a religious concept about moral cause-and-effect across lifetimes, not a psychology bias. Hindsight bias is about overestimating how predictable an outcome was after it happens, and self-serving bias involves taking credit for successes while blaming others for failures. The description fits the Just-World Phenomenon.