Deborah and Gilbert both planted similar trees in their yards this spring. However, Gilbert's tree died in the fall, while Deborah's remained alive. According to the just-world hypothesis, ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The just-world hypothesis suggests that people inherently believe that individuals get what they deserve. Therefore, according to this hypothesis, the most plausible explanation for the difference in outcomes between Deborah's and Gilbert's trees is that Deborah took better care of her tree than Gilbert did. This explanation fits with the idea that people are responsible for their own outcomes and therefore get what they "deserve."

Deborah and Gilbert Both Planted Similar Trees in Their Yards