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 people make a decision, they tend to feel dissonance or discomfort if they have to give up something they previously liked in favor of something else. To reduce this discomfort, they tend to rationalize their decision and view the chosen option as more attractive than before. Therefore, in this scenario, after Carole decides to stop seeing Tim and continue dating Craig, Craig will seem more attractive to her than before.

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