Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Kendra Thomas, Psychology
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-12-2024
Abstract
Psychological research on the perception of justice has developed the concept of belief in a just world (BJW; Dalbert, 2009). This model includes the General BJW (G-BJW)—people's justice perception of the world in general and Personal BJW (P BJW)—a perception of how fair their personal life is (Likpus et al., 1996; Dalbert, 1999). Adolescence is a crucial time for legal socialization and justice beliefs, yet there is little consensus about the development of these beliefs. The current study aims to conduct a systematic literature review on adolescents' BJW to clarify the existing data on their normative developmental trajectories in youth. This systematic literature review follows the PRISMA model (Moher et al., 2009). The inclusion criteria for this review are having cross-sectional or longitudinal data on G-BJW and P-BJW and must include data under the age of 18. Articles also need to report either a correlation with age or a mean and standard deviation for different age groups. The researchers searched PsycInfo and PsycArticles using the terms "belief in a just world" AND "adolescence," "adolescen*," or "youth." After scanning 333 titles and abstracts, we reviewed 197 full-text articles. 41 articles met the full inclusion criteria. We also reviewed relevant articles cited in the 41 included studies. A PRISMA flow chart summarizes the search process (see Figure 1). The main results will synthesize effect sizes to understand whether there is scientific consensus around a developmental trajectory of BJW and its strength. If a developmental trajectory does not emerge from existing evidence, this review will help unfold the contextual variables that may differentiate the direction and degree of development. Currently, the literature on BJW frames it sometimes as a positive coping mechanism that promotes feelings of control, an innate human need, or a dangerous belief promoting victim-blaming. Understanding the development of BJW will shed light on the purpose and origin of BJW.
Recommended Citation
Repository citation: Bartels, Allison; Burgess, Alexa; Dennis, Laniah; Hoang, Nhi; Leavy, Jae'la; Moran, Erin; Yakes, Katherine; and Prindle, Allie, "How Do Just Beliefs Develop? A Systematic Review of the Research" (2024). 23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024). Paper 37.
https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/curca_23/37
April 12, 2024. Copyright © 2024 Hope College, Holland, Michigan.
Comments
Title on poster differs from abstract booklet. Poster title: How Do Justice Beliefs Develop? A Systematic Review of the Research
One author appears in abstract booklet but not on poster: Allison Bartels.
One author appears on poster that is not listed in the abstract booklet: Allie Prindle.