Carole has two boyfriends, Tim and Craig, whom she likes very much. Both of them really like her, too. She has decided, however, that dating both of them is making her life too complicated. After careful consideration, she decides to stop seeing Tim and to continue dating Craig. According to dissonance theory, which of the following is most likely to happen as a result of her decision?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to dissonance theory, when we make a decision that creates dissonance (conflict) within us, we often change our attitudes or beliefs to reduce that feeling of dissonance. In this case, Carole may experience dissonance because she likes Tim but has chosen to stop seeing him. To reduce this dissonance, she may begin to see Craig as more attractive than before, to justify her decision to continue dating him. This phenomenon is known as cognitive dissonance reduction. Therefore, the most likely outcome is that Carole will see Craig as more attractive than before.

Carole Has Two Boyfriends, Tim and Craig, Whom She Likes