Suppose that Rachel sold one of her stocks last week and that the value of the stock has tripled since then. What a mistake! In which of the following cases is Rachel most likely to experience cognitive dissonance?
A)If she chose to sell the stock against her stockbroker's advice
B)If she chose to sell the stock because her friend suggested it
C)If she chose to sell the stock because her stockbroker suggested it
D)If she was on vacation last week and it was her husband who decided to sell the stock for her

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person's beliefs or actions are inconsistent with each other, leading to discomfort. In option A, Rachel is likely to experience cognitive dissonance because she made a decision against professional advice, which resulted in a negative outcome (the stock's value tripling after she sold it). This situation directly pits her action (selling the stock) against the advice she received (to keep it), likely causing significant psychological discomfort.

Suppose That Rachel Sold One of Her Stocks Last Week