After Judy made a choice between two fairly equal alternatives, she emphasized the negative features of the choice she rejected, which is called a "sour grapes" rationalization, and she focused on the positive features of the choice she committed to, a "sweet lemons" rationalization. This example illustrates:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This example illustrates cognitive dissonance, which is the discomfort we experience when we hold two conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. In this case, Judy experiences dissonance because she made a choice between two fairly equal alternatives, but she wants to feel good about her decision. She resolves this dissonance by emphasizing the negative features of the rejected choice (sour grapes) and the positive features of the committed choice (sweet lemons). This is a common way to reduce cognitive dissonance and feel better about our decisions.

After Judy Made a Choice Between Two Fairly Equal Alternatives