Which one of the following activities will NOT reduce cognitive dissonance?
A) changing the behavior to match the attitude
B) changing the thought to justify the behavior
C) developing new thoughts to justify the behavior
D) continuing the behavior in spite of the conflicting thoughts
Answer: D
Rationale: Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual has two thoughts (cognitions) that are inconsistent with each other (dissonance) and, as a result, experiences motivation to reduce the discrepancy. This can occur when an action or behavior is in conflict with an attitude, such as a smoker believing that smoking is unhealthy. Individuals can reduce cognitive dissonance in a number of ways, including changing the behavior or the attitude. However, continuing to hold conflicting beliefs, or to act in a way that conflicts with a belief, will not reduce the cognitive dissonance.
You might also like to view...
You have been arrested on the charge of felonious assault and have your choice of four lawyers, each of whom has a different style of presenting a case. Based on research findings presented in the text, which lawyer would you choose to represent you?
a. Amanda, who opens her trials dramatically by calling her best witnesses first b. Gene, who starts off slowly and reaches a climax with his best witnesses c. Shelly, who calls witnesses in the order that best presents the story that she wants to tell d. Hank, who calls witnesses in order based on their astrological sign
Years ago, Mandy had a very "messy" extramarital affair. While she still remembers the
affair, when thoughtless people bring it up in conversation, she claims to have no memory of the affair or person with whom she had it. Mandy's pretending to have amnesia is a form of ______. a. malingering c. dissociative fugue b. loafing d. depersonalization