A state of tension that occurs when a person's attitudes do not match the person's actions is called __________
A) cognitive dissonance.
B) the validity effect.
C) the fundamental attribution error.
D) routinization.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance refers to the discomfort or tension that arises from holding two or more conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values. In this case, the tension arises when a person's attitudes do not align with their actions, such as when someone believes that smoking is harmful but continues to smoke. This mismatch creates a state of cognitive dissonance that people are motivated to resolve in order to reduce the discomfort.

A State of Tension That Occurs When a Person's Attitudes