<P> The just - world hypothesis or just - world fallacy is the cognitive bias ( or assumption ) that a person 's actions are inherently inclined to bring morally fair and fitting consequences to that person , to the end of all noble actions being eventually rewarded and all evil actions eventually punished . In other words , the just - world hypothesis is the tendency to attribute consequences to -- or expect consequences as the result of -- a universal force that restores moral balance . This belief generally implies the existence of cosmic justice , destiny , divine providence , desert , stability , or order , and has high potential to result in fallacy , especially when used to rationalize people 's misfortune on the grounds that they `` deserve '' it . </P>
<P> The just - world hypothesis or just - world fallacy is the cognitive bias ( or assumption ) that a person 's actions are inherently inclined to bring morally fair and fitting consequences to that person , to the end of all noble actions being eventually rewarded and all evil actions eventually punished . In other words , the just - world hypothesis is the tendency to attribute consequences to -- or expect consequences as the result of -- a universal force that restores moral balance . This belief generally implies the existence of cosmic justice , destiny , divine providence , desert , stability , or order , and has high potential to result in fallacy , especially when used to rationalize people 's misfortune on the grounds that they `` deserve '' it . </P>
belief in a just world is best characterized as a form of
belief in a just world is best characterized as a form of
cognitive bias
cognitive bias