Question

As part of a psychology experiment, Ed and Todd write essays saying that seat belts are unnecessary and that laws requiring them should be abolished. From a questionnaire given several weeks before, it is known that both Ed and Todd are actually in favor of laws requiring seat belts. In the experiment, Ed is given a very small reward for writing an essay, while Todd is given a large reward for writing the essay. If their attitudes are subsequently measured, what is the most likely result

Answer 1

Answer:

A). Todd's attitude about seat belts will not change; Ed's will become stronger that seat belts are unnecessary.

Explanation:

In the situation provided, the most likely outcome of giving a huge reward to Todd and small to Ed would be that the former's viewpoint regarding seatbelts would not change while Ed's opinion would turn stronger that there is no requirement of laws for requiring the seatbelts.

The change in Ed's perspective is because of the smaller reward he's received. Behavioral psychologists have proved that rewards act as motivators to stimulate/encourage the recurrence of a specific positive behavior. While the negative behavior is reinforced if a behavior is not rewarded aptly. Similarly, it happens with Ed's changed attitude.