The Foundation of Just World Theory The Belief in a Just World (BJW) is a foundational psychological construct, primarily developed by social psychologist Melvin Lerner in the 1960s, designed to explain how individuals cope with the pervasive existence of suffering and injustice in the world. This belief posits that people generally get what they deserve […]
Introduction and Definition of the Belief in a Just World The Belief in a Just World (BJW) is a foundational concept within social psychology, first systematically proposed by Melvin J. Lerner in the 1960s. This cognitive postulate asserts that people generally need to believe they live in a world where actions and consequences are inherently […]
Introduction to the Concept of Karma and its Psychological Relevance The doctrine of Karma, derived from the Sanskrit root meaning ‘action’ or ‘deed,’ stands as one of the most profound and pervasive principles originating from the Indian subcontinent, shaping the philosophical, religious, and psychological landscapes of billions. Fundamentally, Karma posits a natural law of causality […]
The Psychological Significance of Belief in Karma The concept of Karma, originating in ancient Indian philosophy, represents a profound and complex principle of causality where intent and actions (karma) of an individual influence their future experiences (phala, or fruit). While fundamentally a metaphysical and religious doctrine, the psychological ramifications of believing in karma are extensive, […]
Attitudes toward Paranormal Phenomena The study of attitudes toward paranormal phenomena constitutes a significant and complex area within social and cognitive psychology, delving into how individuals perceive, accept, or reject concepts that defy conventional scientific explanation. These phenomena typically encompass categories such as extrasensory perception (ESP), psychokinesis, life after death, ghosts, astrology, and unidentified flying […]
Introduction and Definition of Adscription of Responsibility Beliefs The concept of Adscription of Responsibility Beliefs constitutes a critical area within social and moral psychology, focusing specifically on the cognitive and emotional processes by which individuals assign accountability, blame, or credit for specific outcomes, events, or actions. This process moves beyond simple causal attribution—the determination of […]
Defining Attitudes and Social Issues Attitudes represent fundamental psychological constructs that serve as evaluative judgments regarding specific objects, people, or ideas. In the realm of social psychology, an attitude is typically defined as a learned predisposition to respond in a consistently favorable or unfavorable manner toward a given attitude object. When applied to social issues, […]
Attitudes toward Spirituality The psychological investigation of attitudes toward spirituality represents a critical intersection between cognitive science, social psychology, and the study of human meaning systems. An attitude, in psychological terms, is defined as a relatively enduring organization of beliefs, feelings, and behavioral tendencies directed toward a socially significant object, group, event, or symbol. When […]
Introduction to Causal Attribution in Sport The study of how athletes and coaches explain sporting outcomes—whether success or failure—is central to understanding motivation, emotion, and future performance in sports psychology. This area of inquiry, known as causal attribution, draws heavily from foundational psychological theories, particularly those pioneered by Fritz Heider and Bernard Weiner. Humans possess […]