Celia, who is a college student, has always thought of herself as an environmental activist.Recently, she "inherited" a gas-guzzling car from her parents, which she has been driving around campus.To reduce the cognitive dissonance that she feels from these clashing images of herself, the environmental activist and the gas-guzzling car owner, she might decide that she will only use the car when it is impossible to bike or take the bus," which illustrates the strategy of

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Celia is using the strategy of changing her behavior by deciding to only use the car when it is absolutely necessary, rather than driving it all the time. This is a way for her to reduce the cognitive dissonance she feels from holding conflicting beliefs about the environment and her own actions. Changing her attitude or adding consonant thoughts would involve trying to justify or rationalize her behavior, which wouldn't necessarily resolve the dissonance. Reducing the amount of her perceived choice wouldn't be applicable in this scenario, as she still needs to have access to transportation.

Celia, Who Is a College Student, Has Always Thought of Herself