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**scoundtrack** · 06-08-2010, 02:43 AM

The just-world phenomenon, also called the just-world theory, just-world fallacy, just-world effect, or just-world hypothesis, refers to the tendency for people to want to believe that the world is just so strongly that when they witness an otherwise inexplicable injustice they will rationalize it by searching for things that the victim might have done to deserve it. This deflects their anxiety, and lets them continue to believe the world is a just place, but often at the expense of blaming victims for things that were not, objectively, their fault.

Another theory entails the need to protect one's own sense of invulnerability. This inspires people to believe that rape, for example, only happens to those who deserve or provoke the assault. This is a way of feeling safer. If the potential victim avoids the behaviors of the past victims then they themselves will remain safe and feel less vulnerable.

For me, the above is certainly well articulated.

I recall a lady I knew who visited a well known Buddhist monastery.

At the time of her visit, some well-to-do wealthy people visited the monastery (of course with a nice donation) and were telling the monks how they knew of a girl who was being sexual abused but they decided not to tell the police because it was the girl's karma from past life.

Of course my friend was outraged and spoke her mind.

Then she was asked to leave the monastery.

Very common in Buddhism.

06-08-2010, 02:43 AM	#12
scoundtrack Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 469 Senior Member	The just-world phenomenon, also called the just-world theory, just-world fallacy, just-world effect, or just-world hypothesis, refers to the tendency for people to want to believe that the world is just so strongly that when they witness an otherwise inexplicable injustice they will rationalize it by searching for things that the victim might have done to deserve it. This deflects their anxiety, and lets them continue to believe the world is a just place, but often at the expense of blaming victims for things that were not, objectively, their fault. Another theory entails the need to protect one's own sense of invulnerability. This inspires people to believe that rape, for example, only happens to those who deserve or provoke the assault. This is a way of feeling safer. If the potential victim avoids the behaviors of the past victims then they themselves will remain safe and feel less vulnerable. For me, the above is certainly well articulated. I recall a lady I knew who visited a well known Buddhist monastery. At the time of her visit, some well-to-do wealthy people visited the monastery (of course with a nice donation) and were telling the monks how they knew of a girl who was being sexual abused but they decided not to tell the police because it was the girl's karma from past life. Of course my friend was outraged and spoke her mind. Then she was asked to leave the monastery. Very common in Buddhism.
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