Belief In Karma Research Articles

Victim blaming and belief in karma

AbstractWitnessing the suffering of innocent victims can motivate observers to interpret the situation in ways that justify that suffering, such as viewing victims as more personally responsible or possessing negative traits. In a pre‐registered cross‐cultural experiment (N = 831 from India, Singapore and the USA), we tested whether belief in karma—a supernatural force that can be used to explain current misfortune as payback for past misdeeds—affects people's tendencies to blame victims for their misfortune. Participants read and evaluated descriptions of ostensibly innocent victims of misfortune, both before and after thinking about karma. When thinking about karma, participants rated victims as possessing more negative traits, and (in the USA) being less similar to participants themselves, compared to their baseline judgements. Belief in karma also indirectly predicted negative evaluations, due to karma believers' greater perception that victims were personally responsible for their situation. These results are consistent with previously established patterns of victim derogation and show how karma can shape social judgements in a manner that bolsters the perception of a just world where bad things are believed to happen to bad people.

Retail Karma: How Our Shopping Sins Influence Evaluation of Service Failures

Abstract Consumers have an intuitive belief in “karma” which dictates that bad (good) actions lead to bad (good) outcomes. Consequently, consumers perceive a causal connection between their own wrongdoing toward a company and a subsequent service failure that they experience in their interactions with another company. Eight experiments employing different contexts consistently show that consumers who have previously wronged a company (compared to those in a control group) evaluate another unrelated company more positively in response to a service failure by this company. We argue that this more positive evaluation is due to the greater blame consumers assign to themselves as dictated by the “karmic beliefs” held by consumers whereby the subsequent poor service by a different firm is seen as a karmic payback for their own prior transgression. The proposed effect is mitigated when a person’s karmic belief is reduced. We also examine a number of alternative explanations (e.g., negative experiences, moral balancing, and immanent justice reasoning) and find that our observed effect is more consistent with a karma-based account.

How Karmic Beliefs and Belief in Just World Interact to Activate Social Entrepreneurial Intentions: A Polynomial Regression with Response Surface Analysis

Little is known about how religious beliefs (i.e. karmic beliefs and beliefs in a just world) can active individuals’ social entrepreneurship. Integrating the justice motive theory within stimulus-organism-response framework, our study aims to explore the individual, complementary, congruent, and incongruent impacts of karmic beliefs and belief in a just world on social entrepreneurial intention as well as the mediation role of empathy and moral obligation in this relationship. Using a sample of 401 individuals and employing polynomial regression with response surface analysis, findings indicate that karmic beliefs and belief in a just world serve as significant stimuli which not only inspire empathic and moral organisation, but indirectly reinforce individuals’ social entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, high levels of both karmic beliefs and beliefs in a just world can enhance organisms (empathy and moral obligation), and behavioural responses (social entrepreneurial intentions), but imbalanced levels of these beliefs erode such organisms and responses. Some practical implications have been recommended to foster social business ventures based on the findings of the current study.

How karmic beliefs and beliefs in a just world interact to trigger consumer’s pro-environmental consumption behavior: does gender matter?

PurposeLittle is known about how religious-related beliefs (i.e. karmic beliefs and beliefs in a just world) might affect consumers to engage in more environmentally friendly behavior. Drawing on the justice motive theory, this study aims to explore the individual, complementary, congruent and incongruent impacts of karmic beliefs and belief in a just world on consumers’ proenvironmental consumption.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 736 consumers was recruited by means of a mall-intercept survey in the most populus cities in Vietnam. An advanced technique – polynomial regression with response surface analysis – was used to test the hypothesized model, whereas the PROCESS macro approach was used to estimate indirect effects.FindingsThe findings indicate that while karmic beliefs do not directly affect proenvironmental consumption, they can inspire environmentally friendly behaviors through belief in a just world. High levels of both beliefs enhance proenvironmental consumption, but imbalanced levels erode such behaviors. Importantly, the findings revealed gender differences concerning the role of religious beliefs in influencing proenvironmental consumption among male and female consumers.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study offered several theoretical and managerial implications for proenvironmental consumption.Originality/valueThe research provides new insights into how religious beliefs (karmic beliefs and belief in a just world) affect, interact, balance and imbalance with each other to trigger proenvironmental consumption. The research also contributes to the sustainable consumption literature by indicating the mediation roles of belief in a just world and proenvironmental consumption intention in the relationship between beliefs in karma and actual proenvironmental consumption behavior, as well as offering empirical evidence about the gender differences regarding these relationships.

“I do believe in karma”: understanding consumers' pro-environmental consumption with an integrated framework of theory of planned behavior, norm activation model and self-determination theory

PurposeLittle is known about how religious beliefs can motivate consumers to behave more pro-environmentally. Drawn on an integrated model of the theory of planned behavior, the norm activation model and the self-determination theory, this study aims to explore the effects of religious beliefs (especially, karmic beliefs (KB) and beliefs in a just world (BJW)) on consumers' pro-environmental behavior.Design/methodology/approachA sample of 736 consumers recruited from the eight most populous cities in Vietnam using the mall-intercept survey approach and structural equation modeling (SEM) was utilized to test the hypothesized model and hypotheses.FindingsThe findings indicate that KB and BJW can increase consumers' green intrinsic motivation, which subsequently encourages them to engage in pro-environmental consumption. Moreover, awareness of consequences (AOC) and ascription of responsibility (AOR) serially indirectly inspire consumers' sustainable consumption through serial mediators, including personal norms (PN), attitudes toward green products and green purchase intention.Practical implicationsBased on the findings, some theoretical and managerial implications for pro-environmental consumption are provided.Originality/valueThe study offers fresh perspectives on the role of religious beliefs in pro-environmental research. Additionally, this study sheds new light on the marketing literature by integrating the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and norm activation model (NAM) with self-determination theory (SDT) to explore the underlying mechanisms and effects of psychological components on consumers' pro-environmental behaviors.

“If you sow goodness, you will reap goodness”: activating social entrepreneurial intentions with karmic beliefs

PurposeAlthough karmic beliefs have been found to be positively correlated with pro-social behaviors, the role of karmic beliefs in social entrepreneurship remains relatively unknown. Drawing on the morally extended theory of planned behavior, this paper aims to explore the karmic aspect of social venturing, wherein individuals’ social entrepreneurial intentions and their moral antecedents are activated by karmic beliefs.Design/methodology/approachThe study was performed on a sample of 401 university students in Vietnam. Cronbach’s alpha, confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression analyses were then used to test the reliability, validity of scales and developed hypotheses.FindingsThe findings illustrate that karmic beliefs are strongly and positively correlated with empathy, moral obligation, social entrepreneurial self-efficacy and perceived social support. Moreover, individuals’ social entrepreneurial intentions are not only significantly and directly stimulated by karmic beliefs but also receive the indirect effects of karmic beliefs through three mediators: empathy, moral obligation and social entrepreneurial self-efficacy.Originality/valueThe study added fresh perspectives on the role of karmic beliefs in social entrepreneurship literature. Additionally, this study shed a new light on entrepreneurial literature by morally extending theory of planned behavior to explore underlying mechanisms of moral and empathetic components on transferring the effects of karmic beliefs on social entrepreneurial intentions.

Travelling abroad or domestically? The effects of belief in karma and anxiety on post-pandemic travelling intention among Chinese tourists

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected tourists’ travelling intention, especially regarding foreign destinations. Amid this health emergency, many studies have explored the psychological antecedents of tourists’ intention to travel. However, none has investigated the role of belief in karma. The present research is the first to examine the influence of this cultural factor on tourists’ post-pandemic intention to travel abroad rather than domestically. A survey study with 1,586 Chinese respondents showed that stronger belief in karma is associated with a decreased intention to travel abroad, and this negative relationship is mediated by pandemic-related anxiety toward travelling. Our findings also carry theoretical and managerial implications.

Karmic beliefs and social entrepreneurial intentions: A moderated mediation model of environmental complexity and empathy

Although the recognition of the importance of religious beliefs on entrepreneurship, the impact of karmic beliefs on social entrepreneurship has not been thoroughly explored. This research aims to fill that gap by adopting a morally extended theory of planned behavior and developing a moderated mediation model to investigate the role of karmic beliefs in shaping individuals’ social entrepreneurial intention underlying the moderated mediation effects of environmental complexity and empathy. The study was performed on a sample of 401 undergraduate students in Vietnam, using the model 4 and the model 7 in PROCESS macro approach to test the hypothesized model. The research revealed that empathy not only positively and directly correlated with social entrepreneurial intentions, but also positively and partially mediated the effect of karmic beliefs on social entrepreneurial intentions. Environmental complexity was found to negatively moderate the impact of karmic beliefs on empathy. Noticeably, our study also indicated that the mediation impact of empathy on the relationship between karmic beliefs was negatively moderated by environmental complexity. The findings of this research thus shed new light on entrepreneurial literature by using the moral extended theory of planned behaviors to examine the underlying moderated mediation mechanisms of environmental complexity and empathy on the relationship between karmic beliefs and social entrepreneurial intentions. Based on the findings of the research, some valuable recommendations and implications for policymakers and practitioners have been offered.

Belief in Karma: The Belief-Inducing Power of a Collection of Ideas and Practices with a Long History

This article provides an analysis of the concept of karma and related concepts, such as rebirth, merit, and transfer of merit, along with a historical survey focusing on classical texts. The attractiveness of the belief in karma lies in two main reasons. The first is the moral ideal of getting one’s just deserts on the basis of one’s actions and omissions. The second reason involves the idea of rebirth. The belief in both karma and rebirth can bring consolation with the hope of life hereafter, where one’s destiny is determined not by chance, but by the moral quality of one’s actions in this or previous lives. The belief in karma also incorporates diverging elements, such as transfer of merit. The practice of transfer of merit serves to improve an individual’s moral and religious status through rituals or other suitable means, while the doctrine of karma itself strongly speaks to the strict fulfilment of retributive justice. Both motives—fulfilling justice according to the law of karma and improving one’s moral status through transfer of merit—are psychologically powerful and attractive, although their mutual compatibility is debatable.

The role of karmic beliefs in immanent justice reasoning.

The role of karmic beliefs in immanent justice reasoning.

Belief in karma is associated with perceived (but not actual) trustworthiness

Abstract Believers of karma believe in ethical causation where good and bad outcomes can be traced to past moral and immoral acts. Karmic belief may have important interpersonal consequences. We investigated whether American Christians expect more trustworthiness from (and are more likely to trust) interaction partners who believe in karma. We conducted an incentivized study of the trust game where interaction partners had different beliefs in karma and God. Participants expected more trustworthiness from (and were more likely to trust) karma believers. Expectations did not match actual behavior: karmic belief was not associated with actual trustworthiness. These findings suggest that people may use others’ karmic belief as a cue to predict their trustworthiness but would err when doing so.

“I must have done something good”: Justifying luxury consumption with karmic beliefs

Existing research has shown that a belief in karma may negatively affect luxury consumption because people may avoid “sinful” consumption of expensive products as a result of karmic investment. In this research, we examine the role of karmic beliefs on luxury consumption that individuals may contend is a form of justification. We show that karmic beliefs lead to higher purchase intention of luxury goods by consumers (Study 1), and this effect is mediated by belief in a just world (BJW) (Study 2). We also demonstrate an important boundary condition of promotion focus between karmic beliefs and BJW (Study 3). Our research provides an alternative perspective to investigate the impact of karmic beliefs and the justification mechanism in luxury consumption.

What goes around comes around: The effect of belief in karma on charitable donation behavior

AbstractKarma is the notion that one's current actions will have consequences in the future. The present research links the belief in karma with a guilt appeal and examines how believing in karma influences the individuals' donation behaviors. The results of four studies demonstrate that for people who hold a strong belief in karma, guilt appeals can arouse the motivation to engage in prosocial activities to remedy past demerits. This “remedy demerits” motivation is the reason why individuals who hold a strong (vs. weak) belief in karma are more likely to donate time (rather than money) and donate money in lump sums (rather than in installments) when the charitable appeal is framed in terms of guilt. Our findings contribute to the literature on specific beliefs, individuals' prosocial behaviors, and the motivations of individuals who believe in karma as concerns their responses to charitable appeals. Charitable organizations can apply the findings by targeting their donor solicitations to individuals who believe in karma to enhance engagement in prosocial activities, and by using karma priming advertisements to induce individuals to think karmically, thus more efficiently promoting specific donation choices.

Online schadenfreude as an outcome of ideological polarization: a case in Hong Kong

PurposeThe impact of ideological polarization has been a serious concern, given its damages to society. In addition, Schadenfreude is increasingly common in the era of ideological polarization. Previous literature may have discussed the cause and outcomes of schadenfreude in general but not specifically related to ideological polarization. This study aims to serve to establish a more informed understanding of online schadenfreude as an outcome of ideological polarization and help society recover from the damages.Design/methodology/approachThe authors adopted a case research method with netnography for our study, given that the authors are exploring the phenomena of online schadenfreude, which involves multiple dimensions.FindingsThe authors identified a three-level model that illustrates how schadenfreude is driven as an outcome of ideological polarization, i.e. macro-environment, camp/partisan and target. These factors of different levels involve political viewpoint differences, perceived appearance, personal conduct, aggressive norms and polarized environment with a lack of conventional opinion expression channel. Moreover, attackers may demonstrate a belief in Karma, creativity and a sense of humor and may call for actions.Originality/valueWhile previous literature focused on the relationship between fake news, echo chambers and ideological polarization, this study is a relatively earlier one on studying schadenfreude as an outcome of ideological polarization, which would facilitate to formulate the solution to repair the damages created to ideological polarization. The authors also discussed the enablers as well as the self-reinforcing nature of ideological polarization, and provided some practical implications for politicians and government officials.

Just World Belief: How People Are Influenced in India by The Concept of Just World Belief, Whether They Are More Inclined Towards Helping a Victim or Towards Derogation of a Victim?

In this paper my study will analyze data collected from people in India. The purpose of this study is to see whether in India people believe in victim blaming in the case of an incident caused due to external causes or they try to compensate them. Just world belief plays a significant role in preserving people’s view in justice. Many people who believe the society is just are also more inclined towards the principle of just world belief. In many studies psychologists have studied the effect of just world belief in western societies. In western culture people-power distance relation is not huge as compared to India and western culture is an individualistic society as compared to India. In India crime rate is more as compared to western culture which also plays an important role. In India people hold a strong belief in karma which is basically “people get what they deserve”. Concept of karma is similar to just world belief. In India karma is one of the important factors which determines whether a person is more willing to contribute or blame the victim. The other factor which determines the willingness to help is income standard of the person. People who fall in upper class income status they are less willing to help and hold a stronger stand on victim blaming, whereas, people in middle class income group try to contribute more rather than victim blaming. People in middle class are more empathetic towards victims further they hold a strong view in karma and try to do well to others. According to me people belonging to middle class families try to donate more or find ways to help victims as compared to upper class people. As per the survey conducted, I will try to establish that “Indians when given an opportunity will compensate victims more and when asked to evaluate victim will derogate them and not compensate”. Opportunity plays an important role when it comes to deciding whether to compensate or derogate. This is not dependent on different cultures or types of society.

Beliefs on time tested karma in Tamil literature

The presence or absence of karma depends on one's belief. Since the Sangam period, the belief in karma existed in the society according to the ample evidences drawn from the Tamil literature. These evidences on karma are available in all ages such as Sangam literature, epics, middle age literature, contemporary literature. The concepts related to karma available in the poems of Kaniyan poonkundran are reflected even in the Bharathiyar's poems. Contemporary poets also express the karma based concepts in their creative works. This article analyses the supportive role of time-tested karma in the positive social reforming.

Cognitive Pathways to Belief in Karma and Belief in God.

Supernatural beliefs are ubiquitous around the world, and mounting evidence indicates that these beliefs partly rely on intuitive, cross-culturally recurrent cognitive processes. Specifically, past research has focused on humans' intuitive tendency to perceive minds as part of the cognitive foundations of belief in a personified God-an agentic, morally concerned supernatural entity. However, much less is known about belief in karma-another culturally widespread but ostensibly non-agentic supernatural entity reflecting ethical causation across reincarnations. In two studies and four high-powered samples, including mostly Christian Canadians and mostly Hindu Indians (Study 1, N=2,006) and mostly Christian Americans and Singaporean Buddhists (Study 2, N=1,752), we provide the first systematic empirical investigation of the cognitive intuitions underlying various forms of belief in karma. We used path analyses to (a) replicate tests of the previously documented cognitive predictors of belief in God, (b) test whether this same network of variables predicts belief in karma, and (c) examine the relative contributions of cognitive and cultural variables to both sets of beliefs. We found that cognitive tendencies toward intuitive thinking, mentalizing, dualism, and teleological thinking predicted a variety of beliefs about karma-including morally laden, non-agentic, and agentic conceptualizations-above and beyond the variability explained by cultural learning about karma across cultures. These results provide further evidence for an independent role for both culture and cognition in supporting diverse types of supernatural beliefs in distinct cultural contexts.

Karma Belief and Green Product Purchase Intention: Two Mediating Factors of Environmental Awareness and Global Warming Belief

Green marketing has established as an important topic among scholars and practitioners due to its importance in supporting a better world people are living in. The karma doctrine posits that all decisions and behaviors result in consequences. This belief is widely embraced globally as shown by previous research. Despite the importance of karma belief in daily life, research on the role of karma in consumers’ decision, in particular green marketing context is relatively rare. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether belief in karma can increase the intention to purchase green products. In order to achieve the study’s goal, data from 188 adult respondents were collected in this study. The respondents were reached by the convenience sampling method. Using a quantitative method, this study investigates the existence and type of relationship between constructs; thus, the analytical tool used is Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). This study found that the relationship between karma belief and green product purchase intention is mediated by two constructs, namely, environmental awareness and global warming belief. Theoretical and practical contributions are discussed.

How strongly do moral character inferences predict forecasts of the future? Testing the moderating roles of transgressor age, implicit personality theories, and belief in karma.

Three studies (total N = 1486) investigated how inferences about a person’s current moral character guide forecasts about that person’s future moral character and future misfortunes, and tested several plausible moderating variables. Inferences about current moral character related (very strongly) to forecasts about future moral character and also (less strongly) to forecasts about future misfortunes. These relationships were moderated by two variables: Relations between inferences and forecasts were somewhat weaker when perceivers made judgments about children, compared to judgments about adults, and relations between character inferences and forecasts about misfortunes were somewhat stronger among perceivers who more strongly believed in karma. In contrast, results provided no evidence of any moderating effects due to perceivers’ beliefs about the stability of moral dispositions (i.e., implicit personality theories). These results show how dispositional inferences, moral judgments, and beliefs about karmic justice interact to shape forecasts about the future.

Supplemental Material for The Role of Karmic Beliefs in Immanent Justice Reasoning

Supplemental Material for The Role of Karmic Beliefs in Immanent Justice Reasoning