Denise went on a diet to lose some weight. When she went to lunch with some co-workers, she hesitated when it was her turn to order. Finally, she ordered the burger and fries instead of the salad and yogurt. She then justified her choice by telling herself that some protein every day is important for good health. Denise's tendency to focus on the positive aspects of her choice and minimize the negative aspects illustrates which of the following concepts in action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Denise's behavior illustrates cognitive dissonance, which is the psychological discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs or values at the same time. In this case, Denise's belief that she should stick to her diet plan conflicts with her desire to order a burger and fries. To reduce the discomfort, she justified her choice by telling herself that some protein is important for good health. This is a common way to minimize the negative aspects of a choice and focus on the positive aspects.

Denise Went on a Diet to Lose Some Weight