Denise went on a diet to lose some weight. When she went to lunch with some co-workers, she hesitated when it was her turn to order. Finally, she ordered the burger and fries instead of the salad and yogurt. She then justified her choice by telling herself that some protein every day is important for good health. Denise's tendency to focus on the positive aspects of her choice and minimize the negative aspects illustrates which of the following concepts in action?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Denise's justification for choosing the unhealthy option despite being on a diet reflects cognitive dissonance, where she experiences discomfort due to the inconsistency between her beliefs and her actions. To reduce this discomfort, she justifies her choice by focusing on the positive aspect of getting protein while minimizing the negative aspect of going against her diet.

Denise Went on a Diet to Lose Some Weight