A structural model explaining correlates of belief in a just world and victim perception

Thesis (M.A., Psychology)--California State University, Sacramento, 2014.In this study, the effects of religious orientation, protestant work ethic (PWE), right-wing authoritarianism (RWA), and belief in a just world (BJW) on victim perception were assessed using a structural equation modeling approach. Of the 362 undergraduate students who participated in this study, 71.5% were female and ranged in age from 17 to 58 years (M = 21.05, SD = 4.19). Participants completed inventories measuring observed variables related to each of the aforementioned traits. The hypothesized model demonstrated somewhat less than acceptable fit with the data; therefore, a re-specified model was constructed. The re-specified model demonstrated good/adequate fit, chi-squared(15) = 40.753, p < .001, GFI = .973, CFI = .971, RMSEA = .069. Higher levels of BJW and RWA were associated with more negative perceptions of victims, and higher levels of religiosity and PWE were associated with greater BJW and RWA. Study limitations and future directions are also discussed.Psycholog