Tom saw a fad weight-loss program advertised on late night television.The ad claimed that deep breathing exercises would speed up metabolism,causing people to lose weight.He mailed a cheque for $99.95.When the plan arrived,Tom rearranged his day so that he could complete the breathing exercises as scheduled.They made him nauseated and dizzy,and before long,Tom's friends began to think that he was "dizzy," and they started avoiding him.After the end of the ten-week program,Tom got on the scale and saw that he hadn't lost an ounce! Still,he remained enthusiastic and thought,"I may not have lost any weight,but I feel so much healthier!" This situation is best explained by

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Tom's continued enthusiasm despite the lack of weight loss and the negative side effects he experienced can be explained by the justification of suffering. This concept suggests that when people go through a difficult or unpleasant experience (in this case, the discomfort of the breathing exercises and the social isolation from his friends), they are likely to justify the effort and discomfort by valuing the outcome more, even if the outcome is not what was initially desired (feeling healthier instead of losing weight).

Tom Saw a Fad Weight-Loss Program Advertised on Late Night