After the disappointment of not getting a new position, an employee states, 'That job looks like a real headache, anyway.' This is an example of _________ to reduce discomfort from dissonance.
A)increasing influence
B)reducing importance
C)increasing importance
D)reducing influence

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of reducing the importance of the job in order to reduce the discomfort of dissonance (i.e. the cognitive dissonance that arises from the individual not being able to obtain the job they wanted). By saying that the job looks like a real headache, the individual is essentially downplaying the value and desirability of the position in their mind.

After the Disappointment of Not Getting a New Position, an Employee