The Relationship Between Behaving Fairly, Belief in a Just World and Self-Perception: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Abstract

Fairness is fundamentally important to human beings, so much so that behaving fairly can have psychological benefits. Past research has shown that behaving fairly can positively influence self-esteem, and this is especially true when one believes that the world is a just place (i.e. belief in a just world). The aim of this study was to further explore the relationships between fairness, belief in a just world (BJW) and self-perception (self-esteem and self-efficacy), as well as to propose explanatory mediating variables. Using a moderated mediation analysis, this study tested whether perceived control or intrapersonal consistency mediate the relationship between fairness and self-perception, and whether BJW moderates this relationship. Participants (N = 198) completed an online survey. Results indicated a positive relationship between fairness and self-perception, which was significantly mediated by perceived control, but suppressed by intrapersonal consistency. Contrary to expectations, BJW-other was a significant moderator, while BJW-self was not. Overall, results suggest that the more fairly a person behaves, the more positive their self-perception, and this is because behaving fairly encourages a person to feel in control – a relationship which is especially true when a person believes that the world is a just place for other people.