Recruits are asked to make an escalating series of commitments ending in signing over a bank account or property to the group, moving in with the group, and so forth.Making such major public commitments creates a powerful __________ effect.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The described situation is an example of cognitive dissonance, which occurs when a person holds two conflicting beliefs or values and experiences psychological discomfort. By making increasingly significant commitments to the group, the recruit may experience internal conflict between their desire to belong to the group and their personal values, causing them to adjust their beliefs or behaviors in order to reduce this discomfort. This can be a powerful effect that may ultimately lead the recruit to make extreme decisions, such as signing over their bank account or property.

Recruits Are Asked to Make an Escalating Series of Commitments