During a test, Abe impulsively copied several answers from a nearby student's paper. He felt very uncomfortable about having done this until he convinced himself that copying answers is not wrong if classmates are careless enough to expose their test sheets. Which theory best explains why Abe adopted this new attitude?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that individuals experience discomfort when there is a discrepancy between their attitudes and their behaviors, and they attempt to reduce this discomfort by changing their attitudes. In this case, Abe initially felt uncomfortable about cheating, but he changed his attitude to justify his behavior by convincing himself that it was not wrong, thus reducing the discomfort caused by the discrepancy between his attitude and behavior.

During a Test, Abe Impulsively Copied Several Answers from a Nearby