Research on effort justification and cognitive dissonance theory most directly suggests that ____.
A)initiation rituals are an effective way to promote group loyalty
B)most people engage in social loafing
C)twelve-person juries are likely to come up with different verdicts than are juries with four or fewer people
D)most people look to others when deciding how to behave in a group context

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Effort justification theory suggests that people tend to value things more highly when they have had to put in a lot of effort to obtain them. This can lead to increased loyalty to a group or organization if the individual has had to go through a difficult initiation process or put in much effort to be a part of that group. Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that people experience discomfort when their beliefs or behaviors do not match, and they will seek to reduce this discomfort by changing their beliefs or justifying their behaviors. In the context of group membership, this could mean that individuals who have put in a lot of effort to be a part of a group are more likely to justify their continued involvement and loyalty, even in the face of negative experiences or conflicting beliefs.

Research on Effort Justification and Cognitive Dissonance Theory Most Directly