Question

Before Sonya left for college, she told her friend Lacy that she thought sororities were filled with snobs and that she would never consider joining one. During Sonya's first week on campus, a sorority member invited her to a social function and encouraged her to pledge. After Sonya attended the party, she told Lacy, "Sororities do a lot of good things for the community. They're really service organizations." Sonya's change in attitude illustrates
A) cognitive dissonance theory
B) role playing theory
C) attribution theory
D) attitude theory

Answer 1

Sonya's change in attitude illustrates cognitive dissonance theory .

Option A

Explanation:

This theory describes the inconsistency of a person’s behavior, beliefs or attitudes. The internal struggles caused by these conflicted feelings lead to change in any of these traits which eventually lead to ease of discomfort and restoration of balance.  

Some of the factors that affect cognitive dissonance include changes that lead to making new relationships, acquiring new information and reducing the importance of long-held beliefs, behavior and attitudes. Sonya’s changed her attitude and behaviors due to connecting on a personal level with the sorority girls.