Sonia works as a lab research assistant at Frost Labs, which conducts trials for cosmetic products such as sprays, dyes, ointments, soaps, and the like. She joined the firm right out of college and has been working there for almost two years now.
-Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument that Sonia is experiencing cognitive dissonance?
A) She believes that cosmetics help boost women's self-confidence.
B) She believes that testing products on animals is an unethical practice.
C) She majored in pharmacology as part of her master's degree program in college.
D) She recently received a positive performance review from her supervisor.
E) She is confounded by the fact that the cosmetic industry rakes in almost $7 billion annually.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance implies an incompatibility between two or more attitudes or between behavior and attitudes. If Sonia believes that testing products on animals is unethical and yet conducts trials for cosmetic products, which would most likely be conducted on animals, it would suggest that she is experiencing a conflict between her behavior and attitude. If Sonia believes that cosmetics help boost women's self-confidence, it would weaken the argument that she is experiencing cognitive dissonance, as would the fact that she majored in pharmacology, which is a discipline related to the field of cosmetic testing. A positive performance review is irrelevant or, at the most, only slightly weakens the argument that she is experiencing cognitive dissonance. The fact that Sonia is confounded by the annual revenue generated by the cosmetic industry is irrelevant to the argument.

Sonia Works as a Lab Research Assistant at Frost Labs