Objective This study examined whether caregivers’ picture book reading styles involving moral narratives are associated with the strength of their belief in a just world. Methods We investigated the relationship between caregivers’ just-world belief scores and the number of belief-related utterances produced beyond the picture book text. We observed picture book reading sessions involving 24 infants or toddlers and their mothers, extracted maternal off-text commentaries reflecting just-world beliefs, and examined their association with mothers’ belief strength. Results The number of maternal narrative additions related to belief in a just world was significantly and positively correlated with belief in ultimate justice. Conclusion The finding suggest that mothers with stronger belief in ultimate justice tend to emphasize just-world themes during picture book reading.
Kishimoto et al. (Mon,) studied this question.