Imagine that you are about to buy a new car.You would have
A) more negative thoughts about the car before you buy it than after you buy it.
B) more negative thoughts about the car after you buy it than before you buy it.
C) more positive thoughts about the car before you buy it than after, only if you have low self-esteem.
D) equally positive and negative thoughts about the car before and after the purchase.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This phenomenon can be explained by cognitive dissonance theory. After making a decision (such as buying a car), individuals tend to reduce dissonance by justifying their choice. This often results in having more positive thoughts about the car after the purchase to affirm that they made the right decision.

Imagine That You Are About to Buy a New Car