Lisa is upset with herself because she's just eaten a piece of chocolate cake and thinks she's completely "blown" her diet plan. She decides that she just isn't cut out for diets and eats the rest of the cake. This is an example of _____ (if Lisa believed she shouldn't eat any cake at all while on her diet).

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of the abstinence-violation effect, where an individual perceives a small slip or mistake in their behavior (like eating a piece of cake when on a diet) as a major violation, leading to an all-or-nothing response (eating the rest of the cake). This cognitive distortion makes it hard for individuals to maintain moderation and can derail efforts at behavior change.

Lisa Is Upset with Herself Because She's Just Eaten a Piece