When Jason starts college, he comes from a very conservative religious background. He strongly feels that homosexuality is "wrong" and "immoral," although he has never actually met anyone who is a homosexual. At college, he meets lots of new friends, a few of whom are homosexual. He really enjoys them, and as he spends more time with them he decides, "I must not really think homosexuality is wrong. After all, several of my best friends are gay and I don't think they are immoral." Which theory can BEST explain Jason's change in attitude about homosexuality?
A) social comparison theory
B) the self-reference effect
C) self-perception theory
D) self-handicapping theory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jason's change in attitude can be explained by self-perception theory, which suggests that individuals infer their attitudes and beliefs based on their own behavior and the context in which it occurs. As Jason spends time with his homosexual friends, he behaves positively towards them and therefore comes to believe that his attitude towards homosexuality must not be as negative as he originally thought.

When Jason Starts College, He Comes from a Very Conservative