In a psychological experiment, Jill was paid $1 to take sewing spools out of a box and place them in another box. Jack was paid $20 to do the same task. When they finished, they were told to tell someone else that the task was positive. Finally, they each were asked how they felt about the task. According to cognitive dissonance, which of the following is correct?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that when there is a discrepancy between beliefs and behaviors, individuals will change their beliefs to match their behaviors to reduce discomfort. Jill, who was paid only $1, is likely to experience more dissonance because the small reward does not justify the effort, leading her to rationalize the task as more enjoyable to reduce dissonance. Jack, who received a substantial reward, does not need to change his perception of the task because the high reward justifies his effort, making it less likely for him to experience dissonance.

In a Psychological Experiment, Jill Was Paid $1 to Take