Professor Stewart wrote a very positive letter of recommendation for a student despite having doubts about her competence. Which theory best explains why he subsequently began to develop more favorable attitudes about the student's abilities?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that when individuals act in a way that is inconsistent with their beliefs or attitudes, they experience discomfort or dissonance. In this case, the professor wrote a positive letter of recommendation despite having doubts about the student's competence, leading to cognitive dissonance. To reduce this discomfort, the professor may have started to develop more favorable attitudes about the student's abilities, in order to align his actions with his beliefs.

Professor Stewart Wrote a Very Positive Letter of Recommendation for a Student