The Unhappy Employee (Scenario)
Mariam is not happy in her current employment. Her job requires that she attempt to sell some products that she feels are inferior to other products in her product line. Mariam has a quota that requires that she sell both high- and low- quality products before she can receive her commission. In her opinion, the lower quality products are overpriced.
-Although Mariam sells both products, she is torn between her beliefs and the actions she must take. This inconsistency or incompatibility is known as ______.
A) cognitive dissonance
B) management by objectives
C) negative feedback
D) difficult objectives

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more conflicting beliefs or values, or is confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs or values. In this scenario, Mariam is experiencing cognitive dissonance as she is torn between her belief that the lower quality products are overpriced and her actions of selling them to meet her quota and receive her commission.