According to cognitive dissonance theorists, when people attempt to vent their aggressive impulses by harming another person, they are more likely to engage in later acts of aggression because __________.

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According to cognitive dissonance theorists, when people harm another person, they experience dissonance because their behavior conflicts with their beliefs about themselves as being good and moral individuals. In order to reduce this dissonance, individuals may derogate the victim to justify their behavior. This process of derogation can increase the likelihood of later acts of aggression because it reinforces the perpetrator's aggressive attitudes and beliefs.

According to Cognitive Dissonance Theorists, When People Attempt to Vent