Fernando's favorable attitude toward capital punishment began to change when he was asked to offer arguments opposing it in a university debate class.His attitude change is best explained by ________ theory.

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Fernando's change in attitude from being favorable toward capital punishment to opposing it after being asked to offer arguments against it in a university debate class is consistent with cognitive dissonance theory. This theory suggests that when an individual's attitudes and beliefs are inconsistent with each other, they are motivated to reduce this discomfort (dissonance) by changing their attitudes or beliefs. In this case, Fernando's favorable attitude toward capital punishment was inconsistent with the arguments he was asked to make, causing him to experience cognitive dissonance which led to a change in attitude.

Fernando's Favorable Attitude Toward Capital Punishment Began to Change When