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MENTAL MODEL · M4330

System Justification Theory

System Justification Theory
BehaviorHigh supportSocial Psychology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

A theory proposed by John Jost, suggesting that individuals are motivated to defend and justify existing social, economic, and political arrangements, even when these arrangements are disadvantageous to themselves. System justification is a psychological process that maintains the status quo and social order through stereotypes, ideologies, and belief systems.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

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Reduce cognitive load

Understanding social change. In social justice, political attitudes, and social change, understanding the mechanisms of system justification. It helps us reduce system justification by recognizing justificatory processes, challenging unfair beliefs, promoting critical thinking, and building alternative ideologies, thereby fostering social change, enhancing social justice, and establishing a fairer society.

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Proposed by John Jost, individuals are motivated to defend existing social arrangements to maintain cognitive and identity security, even when these arrangements harm their own interests. It rationalizes the status quo through stereotypes and ideologies, alleviating the discomfort caused by 'system threat', which explains why disadvantaged groups sometimes support oppressive systems.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_justification_theoryZH · Explicit
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