Chapter 06 – Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Chapter 06
Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Cognitive dissonance can be defined as
2. A consonant relationship between beliefs and behaviors exists when
3. Which of the following best illustrates an irrelevant relationship?
4. Joseph believes that parenthood is a spiritually growth-providing experience. According to
Cognitive Dissonance Theory, he would most likely be persuaded to become a parent if Glenda
told him that parenthood
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5. Which of the following is an assumption of Cognitive Dissonance Theory?
6. The three factors that influence the magnitude of dissonance a person will feel are
7. Which of the following statements underscores the Cognitive Dissonance Theory
assumption that human beings desire consistency in their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors?
8. Olivia sees herself primarily as an excellent nanny. When the children she watches over
refuse to be left in her care, the magnitude of her dissonance is likely to be
9. Berscheid and Walster (1978) found that most people interpret close friends‘ attitudes as
more congruent with their own than is actually true. This is an example of _____.
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25. Cognitive Dissonance Theory proponents believe that human beings desire consistency in
their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
26. Buyer’s remorse refers to the dissonance one feels after making a large purchase.
27. Cognitive dissonance theorists argue that there are both psychological and physiological
causes of dissonance.
28. Cognitive Dissonance Theory predicts that people will remember and learn inconsistent
information more easily than consistent information.
29. Being sedentary and eating junk food despite believing that diet and exercise are integral
parts of a healthy and happy lifestyle is a prime example of a consonant relationship.
30. Cognitive Dissonance Theory predicts that dissonance motivates efforts to achieve
consonance through selective regeneration.
31. An individual employing selective retention is likely to remember all the arguments both
for and against the position he or she holds.
Essay Questions
32. Provide an example of a consonant relationship, a dissonant relationship, and an irrelevant
relationship between two cognitions.
Answers will vary.
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33. How can an individual reduce the magnitude of dissonance?
Answers will vary.
34. Define selective exposure, selective attention, selective interpretation, and selective
retention. How are these processes related to Cognitive Dissonance Theory?
Answers will vary.
35. Define and explain the principle of minimal justification, and provide an example of how it
could work to persuade someone to do something (other than the examples provided in the
text).
Answers will vary.
36. Identify three criticisms of Cognitive Dissonance Theory.
Answers will vary.
37. Using our standard criteria for theory evaluation, critique Cognitive Dissonance Theory.
Answers will vary.
38. Define and explain the three factors that influence the magnitude of dissonance a person
will feel. Think of a particular situation in which one might feel dissonance, and develop an
example related to that situation for each factor to illustrate its influence.
Answers will vary.