Vaughan and Lanzetta's (1981) study required participants to observe someone receiving an electric shock. Some, but not all, of the participants were required to make a pained expression whenever the shock was implemented. The results indicated that compared to those students who were not required to make a pained expression, those who did perspired more and had faster heart rates whenever they observed the person being shocked. Which theory are the results consistent with?
A) self-presentation theory
B) self-consistency theory
C) cognitive dissonance theory
D) self-perception theory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The results are consistent with self-perception theory, which suggests that individuals infer their attitudes and emotions based on their behavior, especially when there is no clear external cause for that behavior. In this case, the participants who made a pained expression while observing the electric shock inferred that they were actually feeling pain (or at least some level of discomfort), which resulted in increased physiological arousal.

Vaughan and Lanzetta's (1981) Study Required Participants to Observe Someone