Dr. Cirillo divided her first-period class into two groups. Group one had to read 20 pages in a boring psychology text but would get 2 extra points on the next test. Group two also read 20 pages but were given 25 points added to the next test. The class members were then asked to tell the second-period class how interesting the book was. According to the results of the Festinger and Carlsmith study, what predictions could one make about the remarks of the first-period class?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Festinger and Carlsmith study on cognitive dissonance suggests that individuals who receive insufficient justification or reward (like Group one, which only received 2 extra points) for an action are more likely to change their attitudes or beliefs about the action to reduce dissonance. Therefore, Group one is more likely to say the pages were interesting to justify the effort for little reward. Group two, which received a significant reward (25 points), does not need to change their attitude about the reading to justify their action, so they might still say the pages were boring.

Dr Cirillo Divided Her First-Period Class into Two Groups