Chapter 6

What is cognitive dissonance?

• The discomfort felt when two cognitions conflict

• The ability to multitask effectively

• A type of memory bias that distorts past events

• A theory that explains why people always act rationally

Which of the following is NOT a way to reduce cognitive dissonance?

• Changing behavior

• Justifying behavior by changing cognitions

• Adding new cognitions

• Ignoring the problem and hoping it disappears

What is postdecision dissonance?

• Regret after making any decision

• The feeling that the rejected option was always better

• Dissonance aroused after making a decision, often reduced by enhancing the chosen option

• The inability to make decisions due to overthinking

The IKEA Effect demonstrates which principle of cognitive dissonance?

• People tend to dislike things they create

• The tendency to justify effort by increasing liking for something worked hard for

• The belief that expensive items are always better

• That free items are more valuable than purchased ones

Which of the following is an example of external justification?

• Changing your belief to align with your behavior

• Explaining your actions as due to external rewards or pressure

• Convincing yourself you were right all along

• Believing in something without any influence from others

What is the "Ben Franklin effect"?

• People like those who do them favors

• People tend to dislike those who help them

• The idea that money can solve all problems

• A principle stating that the more we read, the smarter we become

Why do people dehumanize enemies in conflicts?

• It makes it easier to justify cruelty

• It increases empathy toward them

• It eliminates cognitive dissonance

• It reduces the likelihood of war

What did the Forbidden Toy Experiment demonstrate?

• Severe punishment leads to long-term attitude change

• Mild punishment creates internal justification, leading to attitude change

• Children naturally dislike forbidden objects

• Toys are more enjoyable when taken away

According to the Self-Evaluation Maintenance Theory, how do people reduce dissonance when a close friend outperforms them?

• Becoming less close to the person

• Changing behavior to outperform them

• Deciding the task is not important to their self-esteem

• All of the above

What is a key danger of excessive self-esteem, as seen in narcissism?

• Increased academic success

• Greater empathy for others

• Reduced willingness to admit mistakes

• Improved social relationships