Practice Quiz

AP Psychology

Category - Psychology

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Samantha is a heavy smoker who has given up on a number of smoking cessation programs. While otherwise committed to healthy living, Samantha is liable to say the following in order to reduce Cognitive Dissonance:
  1. “These programs are not effective for everyone
  2. “I exercise all the time so I should be just fine”
  3. “The link between smoking and poor health is not really as strong as they say”
  4. “My new year’s resolution is begin a new program”
Explanation
Answer: C - To reduce cognitive dissonance between two thoughts, a person will minimize the evidence for one of the thoughts.
Key Takeaway: As a heavy smoker, Samantha’s commitment to healthy living is not as strong as she wants to believe since smoking leads to poor health. By believing one thing and doing the opposite of that belief, Samantha is facing cognitive dissonance which causes feelings of shame and guilt. To reduce these feelings, she convinces herself that the link between smoking and poor health is not as strong as doctors say.
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