Larry came to university absolutely believing that it was wrong to ever drink alcohol. After a while, he starts to drink very moderately at parties even though doing so makes him anxious. What would dissonance theory suggest that Larry will do and why?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to dissonance theory, when a person holds two conflicting beliefs or attitudes (in this case, drinking is wrong vs. drinking in moderation at parties), they experience cognitive dissonance which creates discomfort and tension. To resolve this discomfort, the person will often change one of their beliefs or attitudes in order to make them consistent. In this case, Larry may resolve his discomfort by changing his belief that moderate drinking is not really a problem, allowing him to continue drinking without feeling anxious. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Larry Came to University Absolutely Believing That It Was Wrong