Õigusselgust

Õigusselgust is a concept used to describe a person’s sense or perception of justice—the ability to recognize, evaluate, and respond to fairness and unfairness in social interactions. It encompasses cognitive judgments about what is right or just, as well as affective reactions and motivations to act in ways that promote fair treatment. While closely related to legal notions of justice, õigusselgust refers more to everyday moral assessment and social norms than to formal adjudication.

In psychology and moral philosophy, õigusselgust is linked to the broader idea of fairness sensitivity or moral sense. It includes assessing outcomes as equitable, considering individuals' needs and contributions, and experiencing emotions such as indignation or sympathy in response to perceived injustices. The concept is influenced by development, culture, socialization, and personal experience, leading to variation across individuals and societies. Some cultures emphasize equality, others priority to need or merit, affecting how people judge and respond to fairness.

Measurement and study often use surveys, behavioral experiments, and tasks that present fair or unfair distributions to observe judgments and reactions. The field also examines the interaction between õigusselgust and actions, such as willingness to help, compensate, or intervene. In applied contexts, it informs education, organizational ethics, and legal attitudes by highlighting how perceptions of fairness shape behavior and trust.

See also: fairness, justice, ethics, moral psychology, justice sensitivity.