Relations among gender, status and various dimensions of the belief in a just world and justice sensitivity

The feeling of justice depends on several variables, including belief in a just world (BJW) and justice sensitivity (JS). But the nature of the connection between these two variables remains ambiguous. In addition, few studies examine their possible variations according to the status, as for the studies on such variations according to gender, they are disparate, notably because of the tools used, i.e. according to whether the BJW is for oneself or for others (i.e., Personal vs. General BJW questionnaire), and wether the JS is for oneself or for others (i.e., as victim or as observer). The main purpose of the present study was to examine, on eight differentiate samples, the relations between BJW and JS and their potential relationships with gender and status. A total of1470 participants (men and women, executives, workers, employees, and students) completed a questionnaire referring to the different dimensions of the BJW and the JS. It was first observed that the BJW and the JS are positively correlated, but weakly. It was also found that, regardless of gender or status, participants believe more that the world is just (General BJW) than they are disturbed by witnessing an injustice, whereas their Personal BJW responses vary as a function of both gender and status. Finally, the relative importance, within dimensions, of BJW and JS, also varied according to gender and status. These results are discussed in relation to their potential consequences on the acceptance-protest of social systems.