When external inducements are insufficient to justify our behavior, we reduce dissonance by justifying the behavior internally.
Which of the following theories explains this insufficient justification effect? A. self-perception
B. self-presentation
C. role-playing
D. cognitive dissonance
D. cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance asserts that to reduce discomfort when external inducements are insufficient to justify our behavior, we justify our our behavior or actions to ourselves. It refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviors which produces a feeling of mental discomfort leading to an alteration in one of the attitudes, beliefs or behaviors to reduce the discomfort and restore balance.
