Marla knows that eating donuts is bad for her,and yet every morning on her way to work she stops at the local donut store and gets three donuts with a cup of coffee.She tells herself,"I HAVE to get donuts or else I'm going to look______________ like a weirdo for only getting coffee at a donut store." Which technique is she using to reduce her own cognitive dissonance?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Reducing perceived choice is a technique used to reduce cognitive dissonance by limiting the number of options available. In this case, Marla is reducing her perceived choice by telling herself that she has to get donuts or else she will look like a weirdo. This reduces the conflict between her knowledge that eating donuts is bad for her and her desire to get donuts.

Marla Knows That Eating Donuts Is Bad for Her,and Yet