Belief in a just world: Review and critique of the individual difference literature

This article attempts a critical review of the literature on self‐reported just world beliefs a decade after the last major review. The main focus of the review is on the relationship between questionnaire‐derived beliefs in a just world and other psychological and demographic variables. Numerous correlates of the Rubin & Peplau (1973, 1975) scale to measure just world beliefts are documented and evaluated. Particular criticism is aimed at the multidimensional nature of the concept of a just world. Furthermore, it is suggested that three worlds exist — just, unjust and random — that are orthogonal. Suggestions are made about the development of an improved self‐report measure and the direction of research into the aetiology of a belief in a just world in an individual as well as in different cultures.