The COVID-19 pandemic and system justification

Abstract

Three studies examined the relationship between threats to the Japanese healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic and perceived system justification in Japan. Study 1 confirmed the validity of the Japanese version of the General System Justification Scale (Kay & Jost, 2003). Study 2 examined the relationship between the perceived threat to the healthcare system, the dependency on that system, and system justification. The results showed that the perceived system threat was not associated with system justification while dependency on the healthcare system was found to be associated with perceived legitimacy toward the healthcare system as well as with dependency on the government. Finally, Study 3 manipulated the system threat through criticism of Japan’s healthcare system during the pandemic by a foreign journalist and examined its effect on system justification. The results showed no effect of system threat on system justification. The applicability of system justification theory to Japanese society was discussed.