System Justification Theory

System Justification Theory argues that (a) there is a general ideological motive to justify the
existing social order, (b) this motive is at least partially responsible for the internalization
of inferiority among members of disadvantaged groups, (c) it is observed most readily at
an implicit, nonconscious level of awareness and (d) paradoxically, it is sometimes
strongest among those who are most harmed by the status quo (Jost, Banaji, & Nosek, 2004).

Apply: Social Justification Theory can be applied to community development work when we think about certain CD projects and how some people are indifferent (or appear to be indifferent) or even resistant to change.  While there are, of course, other explanations for indifference and resistance, this theory is useful in thinking about how people who are negatively effected by the status quo might still resist change.  I could see this becoming especially apparent when raising critical consciousness.

Adapt: I see this all of the time with some of my family members who are low-income, previously middle-class, and white.  Despite being negatively effected by the status quo (i.e. low minimum wages, city/county policy changes affecting employment, state refusal to adopt ACA programming, etc.), they still argue that any progressive change is bad....because "it's just wrong."


Source: Jost, J, Banaji, M., and Nosek, B. (2004). A Decade of System Justification Theory: Accumulated Evidence of Conscious and Unconscious Bolstering of the Status Quo. Political Psychology, Vol. 25, No. 6,