HRPYC81
PROJECT 4: Belief in a Just World
Assignment 4 RESEARCH REPORT 2026
Due Date: 2026
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONAL BELIEF IN A JUST WORLD, LIFE
SATISFACTION, AND RESILIENCE AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationship between personal belief in a just world, life satisfaction,
and resilience among adults in South Africa. Belief in a Just World is an important
psychological construct because it influences how individuals interpret fairness, adversity,
and life outcomes, particularly in contexts marked by inequality and social hardship. In South
Africa, persistent poverty, unemployment, and structural inequality make it necessary to
understand how justice beliefs contribute to psychological adjustment.
A quantitative cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Data were collected
from adult participants in South Africa through an online survey using convenience sampling.
Personal belief in a just world was measured using the Global Belief in a Just World Scale,
life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and resilience was
measured using the Brief Resilience Scale. Pearson correlation and multiple regression
analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONAL BELIEF IN A JUST WORLD, LIFE
SATISFACTION, AND RESILIENCE AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationship between personal belief in a just world, life
satisfaction, and resilience among adults in South Africa. Belief in a Just World is an
important psychological construct because it influences how individuals interpret
fairness, adversity, and life outcomes, particularly in contexts marked by inequality
and social hardship. In South Africa, persistent poverty, unemployment, and
structural inequality make it necessary to understand how justice beliefs contribute to
psychological adjustment.
A quantitative cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Data were
collected from adult participants in South Africa through an online survey using
convenience sampling. Personal belief in a just world was measured using the
Global Belief in a Just World Scale, life satisfaction was measured using the
Satisfaction with Life Scale, and resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience
Scale. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to test the
hypotheses.
It was hypothesised that stronger personal belief in a just world would be positively
associated with higher life satisfaction and greater resilience. The findings showed
statistically significant positive relationships between personal belief in a just world,
life satisfaction, and resilience. Participants with stronger personal justice beliefs
reported greater psychological well-being and stronger ability to recover from stress.
These findings suggest that personal belief in a just world functions as a
psychological resource that supports emotional adjustment under difficult social
conditions. The study contributes to personality and social psychology by showing
how justice beliefs may strengthen coping and well-being in unequal societies such
as South Africa.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
1. INTRODUCTION
Belief in a Just World refers to the tendency to perceive life as governed by fairness,
where people generally receive outcomes they deserve (Lerner, 1980). This
psychological belief is important because it shapes how individuals interpret
success, hardship, inequality, and social suffering. In South Africa, this construct is
especially relevant because the country continues to experience high levels of
poverty, unemployment, violent crime, and structural inequality. These social
conditions create daily experiences where fairness is often questioned, making it
necessary to understand how justice beliefs affect psychological functioning.
Personal belief in a just world reflects perceptions that one’s own life is treated fairly,
while general belief in a just world concerns beliefs about fairness in the lives of
others (Lipkus et al., 1996). Personal BJW has been linked to adaptive psychological
outcomes such as hope, emotional stability, and persistence during adversity
(Bartholomaeus & Strelan, 2019). Two factors strongly associated with personal
BJW are life satisfaction and resilience. Life satisfaction reflects a person’s cognitive
evaluation of overall quality of life, while resilience refers to the ability to recover from
stress and hardship (Diener et al., 1985; Smith et al., 2008).
Understanding these relationships in South Africa may contribute to better insight
into how people maintain psychological well-being under unequal social conditions.
This study will examine whether stronger personal belief in a just world predicts
higher life satisfaction and greater resilience among South African adults. The study
seeks to contribute to personality and social psychology by clarifying how justice
beliefs function as psychological resources in challenging environments.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Conceptualising Belief in a Just World
Belief in a Just World refers to a cognitive and motivational orientation in which
individuals perceive that outcomes are deserved and that fairness governs life
events. This concept originates from justice motive theory, which frames the need for
justice as a fundamental psychological motive that supports predictability and
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
PROJECT 4: Belief in a Just World
Assignment 4 RESEARCH REPORT 2026
Due Date: 2026
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONAL BELIEF IN A JUST WORLD, LIFE
SATISFACTION, AND RESILIENCE AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationship between personal belief in a just world, life satisfaction,
and resilience among adults in South Africa. Belief in a Just World is an important
psychological construct because it influences how individuals interpret fairness, adversity,
and life outcomes, particularly in contexts marked by inequality and social hardship. In South
Africa, persistent poverty, unemployment, and structural inequality make it necessary to
understand how justice beliefs contribute to psychological adjustment.
A quantitative cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Data were collected
from adult participants in South Africa through an online survey using convenience sampling.
Personal belief in a just world was measured using the Global Belief in a Just World Scale,
life satisfaction was measured using the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and resilience was
measured using the Brief Resilience Scale. Pearson correlation and multiple regression
analyses were used to test the hypotheses. Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PERSONAL BELIEF IN A JUST WORLD, LIFE
SATISFACTION, AND RESILIENCE AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationship between personal belief in a just world, life
satisfaction, and resilience among adults in South Africa. Belief in a Just World is an
important psychological construct because it influences how individuals interpret
fairness, adversity, and life outcomes, particularly in contexts marked by inequality
and social hardship. In South Africa, persistent poverty, unemployment, and
structural inequality make it necessary to understand how justice beliefs contribute to
psychological adjustment.
A quantitative cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Data were
collected from adult participants in South Africa through an online survey using
convenience sampling. Personal belief in a just world was measured using the
Global Belief in a Just World Scale, life satisfaction was measured using the
Satisfaction with Life Scale, and resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience
Scale. Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to test the
hypotheses.
It was hypothesised that stronger personal belief in a just world would be positively
associated with higher life satisfaction and greater resilience. The findings showed
statistically significant positive relationships between personal belief in a just world,
life satisfaction, and resilience. Participants with stronger personal justice beliefs
reported greater psychological well-being and stronger ability to recover from stress.
These findings suggest that personal belief in a just world functions as a
psychological resource that supports emotional adjustment under difficult social
conditions. The study contributes to personality and social psychology by showing
how justice beliefs may strengthen coping and well-being in unequal societies such
as South Africa.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 81 278 3372
1. INTRODUCTION
Belief in a Just World refers to the tendency to perceive life as governed by fairness,
where people generally receive outcomes they deserve (Lerner, 1980). This
psychological belief is important because it shapes how individuals interpret
success, hardship, inequality, and social suffering. In South Africa, this construct is
especially relevant because the country continues to experience high levels of
poverty, unemployment, violent crime, and structural inequality. These social
conditions create daily experiences where fairness is often questioned, making it
necessary to understand how justice beliefs affect psychological functioning.
Personal belief in a just world reflects perceptions that one’s own life is treated fairly,
while general belief in a just world concerns beliefs about fairness in the lives of
others (Lipkus et al., 1996). Personal BJW has been linked to adaptive psychological
outcomes such as hope, emotional stability, and persistence during adversity
(Bartholomaeus & Strelan, 2019). Two factors strongly associated with personal
BJW are life satisfaction and resilience. Life satisfaction reflects a person’s cognitive
evaluation of overall quality of life, while resilience refers to the ability to recover from
stress and hardship (Diener et al., 1985; Smith et al., 2008).
Understanding these relationships in South Africa may contribute to better insight
into how people maintain psychological well-being under unequal social conditions.
This study will examine whether stronger personal belief in a just world predicts
higher life satisfaction and greater resilience among South African adults. The study
seeks to contribute to personality and social psychology by clarifying how justice
beliefs function as psychological resources in challenging environments.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1. Conceptualising Belief in a Just World
Belief in a Just World refers to a cognitive and motivational orientation in which
individuals perceive that outcomes are deserved and that fairness governs life
events. This concept originates from justice motive theory, which frames the need for
justice as a fundamental psychological motive that supports predictability and
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
