What phenomenon leads people to believe that the world is just and that individuals get what they deserve?

The phenomenon that leads people to believe that the world is just and that individuals get what they deserve is known as the Just-World Phenomenon. This concept suggests that people have an inherent tendency to believe that the world is orderly and fair, which can lead them to assume that those who experience misfortune must have done something to deserve it.

This belief serves to reinforce a sense of morality and control; it allows individuals to rationalize the suffering of others rather than confront the randomness of life's events. By attributing outcomes to personal merit or failure, individuals can maintain a sense of security within their own lives, believing that their own good fortune is the result of their own actions and that misfortune reflects some moral shortcoming.

In contrast, the other options relate to different social psychological processes. Scapegoat Theory involves blaming a person or group for problems that are not their fault, often as a way to channel frustrations and maintain group cohesion. Ingroup Bias refers to favoring one's own group over others, which can lead to prejudicial attitudes or behaviors. Aggression Theory encompasses a range of explanations for aggressive behavior, focusing on factors that can lead to hostility and violence.

Understanding the Just-World Phenomenon is crucial in social psychology as it