Shattered Assumptions Theory

The Theory of Shattered Assumptions is a phenomenon in psychology that describes how trauma can change our understanding of the world. Introduced by Ronnie Janoff-Bulman, this theory states that all people hold three main assumptions about the world and ourselves. In summation, the assumptions state that the world is benevolent and as members of this world, we are meaningful and worthy. However, in the face of trauma, the theory claims that these assumptions are shattered, and one can no longer identify with these views.^[1]

Background

The Theory of Shattered Assumptions was developed and detailed by Ronnie Janoff-Bulman in 1992 in her book, Shattered assumptions: Towards a new psychology of trauma. Janoff-Bulman is a professor of psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and focuses her studies on mortality and motives surrounding such concepts.^[2] Since then, this theory has been widely researched and has since been expanded into more elaborate theories such as Terror Management Theory.

The Theory of Shattered Assumptions

Basic Assumptions

According to Janoff-Bulman,^[1] people come up with general assumptions about the world. These assumptions are undeclared and somewhat implicit, and serve as a basis of our well-being. They give meaning to our existence. The beliefs that we create come in many forms. They are general ideas about the world as a whole and reflect its benevolent nature.^[3] As Brewin & Holmes^[4] state, the three main assumptions are that “the world is benevolent, the world is meaningful, and the self is worthy.“ Therefore, we have high expectations for ourselves, and the world around us, to remain decent and meaningful.

The World is Benevolent

The first fundamental assumption entails the belief that the ‘world’ around us is good. The word ‘world’ makes up the people and events in it. Janoff-Bulman (1993) emphasizes this assumption believes in ‘good fortune and positive outcomes.' People in the world are genuine despite their negative behaviors. All people have an inner goodness.^[1]

The World is Meaningful

The second fundamental assumption regards life’s events as purposeful. In other words, the event whether negative or positive corresponds to the person’s behavior. When an unjust event happens to an ‘undeserving’ person it is viewed as unfair or wrong.^[1] On the flipside, it is assumed that a good person encounters positive events. And a bad person yields negative events.

The Self is Worthy

The last fundamental assumption evaluates one’s self as a positive, moral, and excellent individual. Based on an individual’s assessment of their self-worth predicts their success in life.^[1] A person’s positive self-worth encourages them to be effective in their tasks at hand. Generality, this assumption believes that an individual has the ability to control for positive or negative outcomes.

Shattered Assumptions

According to the theory, there are some terrible events, which we would refer to as trauma, that shatter these worldviews. They break every assumption one has about the world as a generous and virtuous place. Such events could be the unwarranted murder of a loved one, being critically injured, or losing a job and not having an income. Such events are extremely traumatic, and therefore break our assumptions that the world is a good place. This is especially so for people who have had a generally positive life. Because these people have such strong, optimistic assumptions, the disintegration of these views much more traumatic.^[4]

Rebuilding Assumptions

Once one has experienced such trauma, it is necessary for them to create new assumptions or modify their old ones in order to recover from the traumatic experience.^[1] Therefore, the negative effects of the trauma are simply related to our worldviews, and if we repair these views, we will recover from the trauma.^[5]

Criticism and Related Theories

Some have criticized Janoff-Bulman’s Theory of Shattered Assumptions. Mary Alice Mills from the University of Connecticut studied this theory. In her dissertation, she did not find a relationship between trauma and people’s views regarding the meaningfulness and benevolence of the world.^[6]

There are some theories that are closely related to the Theory of Shattered Assumptions. Terror Management Theory states that our self esteem and worldviews serve as a mechanism to avoid the overwhelming fear and anxiety that we would normally face about death and suffering. We need such mechanisms to perform daily functions, for without them we would be too conscious of our own mortality. Like in the Theory of Shattered Assumptions, the more positively you view yourself (high self esteem) and the world, the less anxiety you will face about death.^[7]

References