System Justification Theory

System justification theory holds that system-justifying beliefs serve a psychologically palliative function, proposing that people have underlying epistemic, existential and relational needs that can be satisfied by defending and justifying the status quo, even when the system disadvantages certain people. People are held to desire not only favorable attitudes about themselves and the groups they belong to, but also positive attitudes about the overarching social structure they are entwined in, a motive that can produce out-group favoritism, an acceptance of system-consistent oppressive beliefs and stereotypes among low-status groups alongside a relatively positive image of higher-status groups; the theory holds that individuals are simultaneously supporters and victims of system-instilled norms, and that alternatives to the status quo tend to be disparaged as inequality continues to perpetuate. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/