When failing to confront someone's prejudice, an individual will suffer __________ and justify their inaction. This will result in their being __________ likely to confront someone in the future.
A) conformity; more
B) dissonance; less
C) dissonance; more
D) conformity; less

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When failing to confront someone's prejudice, an individual may experience cognitive dissonance, the uncomfortable feeling of holding two conflicting beliefs (in this case, believing in equality but not speaking up against discriminatory behavior). To reduce this dissonance, they may justify their inaction (e.g. rationalizing that it's not their place to speak up or fearing social repercussions). This can lead to a lessened likelihood of confronting someone in the future, as they may have reinforced their belief that it is easier or safer to stay silent.

When Failing to Confront Someone's Prejudice, an Individual Will Suffer