Article ID: 96.23053
Belief in a just world entails the inclination to perceive the world as inherently fair and secure, where individuals are shielded from misfortune. While previous studies have focused on adults, none have comprehensively explored the developmental origins of just world beliefs. This study examined the development of two facets of just world beliefs - beliefs in immanent justice and ultimate justice- among participants aged five to nine and adults. Participants were presented with narratives depicting instances of either good or bad luck, followed by inquiries regarding the character's actions the previous day and predictions for the following day. The results exhibited a developmental difference in belief in immanent justice, evidence for the fortunate character during the initial half of age five and for the unfortunate character during the latter half of age seven. Conversely, belief in ultimate justice exhibited no developmental difference, indicating that it was already evident among five-year-olds. These findings suggest that belief in a just world takes root as early as the preschool years, although opportunities for further development persist.
