Just-World Hypothesis: The Blame Game
M
Melvin Lerner Contributor
Defense Mechanism
We want to believe the world is safe. If a random person gets hit by a car, it is terrifying. So we say, “They shouldn’t have been walking there.” By blaming the victim, we protect our illusion that “if I am good, I will be safe.”
Reality
The universe is indifferent. Bad things happen to good people. Accepting this requires courage.
Stay in the loop
Get the latest articles delivered to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Subscribe →