Questions: How Do Your Attitudes Affect You? Match each concept of cognitive dissonance with its example. justification of effort postdecisional dissonance insufficient justification Adrienne decides to vacation in Thailand rather than Mongolia. Once she arrives in Thailand, which has gorgeous beaches, she thinks about how much better it is than Mongolia, which has no beaches. Dana is shoveling the snow from her driveway. Her neighbor, Mike, asks if she can shovel his driveway too since she is already outside. Even though she is tired and doesn't really want to, Dana shovels Mike's driveway. She justifies her behavior because she likes her neighbor. Efram decides to drive an hour away to go to a new restaurant, but the food turns out

The answer is:

• Adrienne decides to vacation in Thailand rather than Mongolia. Once she arrives in Thailand, which has gorgeous beaches, she thinks about how much better it is than Mongolia, which has no beaches.

  • postdecisional dissonance

• Dana is shoveling the snow from her driveway. Her neighbor, Mike, asks if she can shovel his driveway too since she is already outside. Even though she is tired and doesn't really want to, Dana shovels Mike's driveway. She justifies her behavior because she likes her neighbor.

  • insufficient justification

• Efram decides to drive an hour away to go to a new restaurant, but the food turns out to be disappointing. He convinces himself that the experience was worth it because he got to spend time with friends.

  • justification of effort

Adrienne's situation is an example of postdecisional dissonance. After making a decision, people often feel a need to justify their choice to reduce any lingering doubts. Adrienne reassures herself that Thailand is better than Mongolia to feel more confident about her decision.

Dana's situation illustrates insufficient justification. She performs an action (shoveling Mike's driveway) without a strong external incentive. To resolve the dissonance between her action and her lack of desire to do it, she justifies it by telling herself she likes her neighbor.

Efram's situation is an example of justification of effort. After investing significant effort (driving an hour), he experiences dissonance when the restaurant is disappointing. To reduce this dissonance, he convinces himself that the experience was worthwhile because of the time spent with friends.