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

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to cognitive dissonance theory, individuals experience discomfort or dissonance when they hold inconsistent beliefs or behaviors. In this situation, Carol may experience dissonance when she chooses between two pairs of shoes as a gift for her mother because she has to make a decision between two options which are both desirable, yet ultimately, she can only choose one. This choice may lead to dissonance because she may question whether she made the right decision, leading to feelings of discomfort. Tanja may not experience this dissonance because she may not have the same cultural norms and values surrounding gift-giving or may not have the same emotional attachment to the decision.

Carol, a Student from China, Is Good Friends with Tanja