A significant number of people subscribe to the concept of karma, which suggests that good deeds are rewarded while bad deeds incur punishment, according to a recent study. The research indicated that around 59 percent of 2,000 participants, from both religious and non-religious backgrounds, felt they deserved rewards for their positive actions.
Moreover, a striking 92 percent of respondents believed that individuals like bullies and deceitful partners should face consequences for their actions. This finding is part of a study published by the American Psychological Association in the Journal of Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.
The study involved 2,000 participants from the United States, India, and Singapore, as reported by CNN.
Findings suggest that people are inclined to think that performing good deeds enhances their chances of favorable outcomes, while they harbor fears about the repercussions of harsh, indifferent, or negative behavior.
Cyndel White, the lead author of the study, noted that the belief in karma can instill a sense of pride in individuals, allowing them to claim personal credit for positive outcomes, even when the actual reasons behind those outcomes remain unclear or ambiguous.
White also pointed out that this perspective might lead individuals to view the suffering of others as justified retribution.
Additionally, the study sheds light on how our minds evaluate ourselves and others, indicating that the tendency to do so is part of attribution bias. People commonly employ this psychological mechanism to maintain their self-esteem by interpreting events in a favorable light.
Patrick Hek, a psychologist at the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, remarked that the concept of karma provides individuals with a convenient framework to feel good about themselves, which is particularly appealing to some.
The study also examined cultural differences, allowing for comparisons between individuals from Western nations, such as the United States, and those from countries like India and Singapore.
It concluded that individuals from India and Singapore tended to be more self-critical, while Americans displayed a more self-enhancing attitude.
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