A research study had experimental participants perform a dull task but paid them to lie by telling a prospective participant that the task had been enjoyable. Results showed that the participants who were paid _____ came to believe that the task had been _____.
A) $1; tedious and boring
B) $1; interesting and enjoyable
C) $20; interesting and enjoyable
D) $20; tedious and boring

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The participants who were paid $1 were more likely to change their attitudes and beliefs about the task in order to justify the lie they were paid to tell. Thus, they came to believe that the task had been interesting and enjoyable. The participants who were paid $20 were less likely to feel the need to justify their lie and were better able to maintain their internal beliefs about the task, so they did not experience the same attitude change.

A Research Study Had Experimental Participants Perform a Dull Task