In a Study by Davis and Jones, Subjects Volunteered to Insult

In a study by Davis and Jones, subjects volunteered to insult a "fellow student" by telling him he was a shallow, untrustworthy, and dull person. How did these subjects justify their hurtful behavior toward the other student, who had done nothing to deserve criticism?

A) By agreeing to help the other student with a difficult task
B) By finding the other student less attractive than before they had insulted him
C) By convincing themselves that they had been forced to deliver the insults
D) By promising themselves they would never again perform such an unkind act