Carol is a student from China and is good friends with Tanja, a student from Germany.According to research on cognitive dissonance, when is Carol more likely to experience dissonance, compared with Tanja?
A) Carol and Tanja will respond similarly across conditions.
B) when choosing between two necklaces for herself
C) when choosing between two pairs of shoes as a gift for her mother
D) if she listens to loud music while shopping

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to research on cognitive dissonance, people experience the most dissonance when making a choice between two equally attractive options. Therefore, when Carol is choosing between two pairs of shoes as a gift for her mother, she is more likely to experience dissonance compared with Tanja. This is because the decision involves considering multiple factors, such as style, comfort, price, and suitability for her mother's taste, which can create conflicting thoughts and emotions. The other options, such as choosing between two necklaces or listening to loud music while shopping, are unlikely to generate as much dissonance because they involve simpler decision-making or unrelated distractions.

Carol Is a Student from China and Is Good Friends