Which occurrence is likely to result in a negative contrast effect?
A) Sylvia is given a choice between helping to clean the house or doing yard work.
B) Ryan receives $40 for cutting the neighbors' grass and $20 for mowing his parent's lawn.
C) Hector's boss criticizes him when he makes mistakes and praises him when he performs his job correctly.
D) Christa learns that if she eats ice cream slowly she does not get a headache, but if she eats it too quickly she does.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A negative contrast effect occurs when an individual perceives a lesser reward in comparison to a previously received greater reward, leading to dissatisfaction or a diminished response to the lesser reward. In choice B, Ryan receiving $40 for cutting the neighbors' grass and then $20 for mowing his parent's lawn exemplifies this, as the decrease in reward (from $40 to $20) for a similar task could lead to a negative contrast effect, where the lesser amount feels insufficient or disappointing in comparison to the first.

Which Occurrence Is Likely to Result in a Negative Contrast