You've always disliked a particular coworker who strikes you as dishonest, but he is nice to you and does you favors, so you become friendly with him despite your misgivings. One day you learn that he stole personal items from your desk. You now decide to discontinue the friendship. Your negative attitude toward this coworker is strengthened through __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decision to discontinue the friendship after discovering the coworker's dishonest behavior aligns with the reduction of cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance occurs when there is a conflict between one's beliefs and behaviors. In this scenario, maintaining a friendship with someone you believe to be dishonest creates dissonance. Ending the friendship after the theft is discovered reduces this dissonance by aligning your behavior (not being friends) with your beliefs (the coworker is dishonest).

You've Always Disliked a Particular Coworker Who Strikes You as Dishonest