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Just-World Beliefs Increase Helping Intentions via Meaning and Affect

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  • Eric R. Igou

    (University of Limerick)

  • Aidan A. Blake

    (University of Limerick)

  • Herbert Bless

    (University of Mannheim)

Abstract

Our research examines the relationship between just-world beliefs and helping. Specifically, we pose that the belief in just world increases helping intentions via perceptions of meaning in life. Consistently, across two studies we found that higher levels of just-world beliefs corresponded with stronger helping intentions. In Study 1, individual differences in just-world beliefs correlated positively with helping intentions. In Study 2, experimentally induced higher (vs. lower) levels of just-world beliefs led to stronger intentions to help others. In both studies, we found that the presence of meaning in life mediated the effects of just-world beliefs on helping intentions, indicating that these prosocial effects of just-world beliefs are established through the impression that life is meaningful. We further found that positive affect plays a mediational role in these effects by linking the perceptions of meaning to helping intentions. This research provides insights into the socially desirable consequences of just-world beliefs by highlighting the crucial roles of existential appraisals and affective states.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric R. Igou & Aidan A. Blake & Herbert Bless, 2021. "Just-World Beliefs Increase Helping Intentions via Meaning and Affect," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(5), pages 2235-2253, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:22:y:2021:i:5:d:10.1007_s10902-020-00317-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-020-00317-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wijnand A. P. Tilburg & Eric R. Igou, 2019. "Dreaming of a Brighter Future: Anticipating Happiness Instills Meaning in Life," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 541-559, February.
    2. Katherine Stroebe & Tom Postmes & Susanne Täuber & Alwin Stegeman & Melissa-Sue John, 2015. "Belief in a Just What? Demystifying Just World Beliefs by Distinguishing Sources of Justice," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(3), pages 1-30, March.
    3. Miao Miao & Lei Zheng & Yiqun Gan, 2017. "Meaning in Life Promotes Proactive Coping via Positive Affect: A Daily Diary Study," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 18(6), pages 1683-1696, December.
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    Cited by:

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