What kind of rationalization is system justification?

Abstract

Cushman uses rationalization to refer to people’s explanations for their own actions. In system justification theory, scholars use the same term to refer to people’s efforts to cast their current status quo in an exaggeratedly positive light. We try to reconcile these two meanings, positing that system justification could result from people trying to explain their own failure to take action to combat inequality. We highlight two novel and contested predictions emerging from this interpretation.

Managing emotions in the age of political polarization: A randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness to cognitive reappraisal

“…Among emotion regulation techniques, cognitive reappraisal has been framed as a generally adaptive strategy in terms of affective, physiological, and social outcomes 25 . By definition, cognitive reappraisal involves the deliberate modulation of thoughts 26 , and in a political context, may manifest as rationalization of the status quo 27 , minimization of perceived impact, or reframing of events as meaning-making opportunities 28 . While research suggests that cognitive reappraisal is a common and effective practice for the management of chronic political stress 8 , cognitive reappraisal is not without its limitations.…”