Professor Stewart wrote a very positive letter of recommendation for a student despite having doubts about her competence. Which theory best explains why he subsequently began to develop more favorable attitudes about the student's abilities?

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Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that when there is a discrepancy between attitudes and behaviors, individuals experience discomfort or tension (dissonance) and try to reduce it by changing their attitudes to align with their behaviors. In this case, Professor Stewart's letter of recommendation went against his doubts about the student's competence, creating dissonance. To reduce this dissonance, he may have started to develop more favorable attitudes about her abilities.

Professor Stewart Wrote a Very Positive Letter of Recommendation for a Student