Compare and contrast how cognitive dissonance theory and ...

[tichca]

Compare and contrast how cognitive dissonance theory and self-perception theory (Chapter 5) would explain the Festinger and Carlsmith (1959) 1/20 experiment.
 
  Given that both theories can explain these results, in which situations is dissonance theory more likely to apply and in what conditions is self-perception theory probably operating?What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Imagine you are watching a debate between two presidential candidates. You prefer Candidate A and dislike Candidate B. Both candidates offer strong arguments and weak arguments about Issue X.
 
  Which arguments would you be most likely to remember? Which arguments would you be most likely to forget? Is it likely that you change your opinion after having watched the debate? Why or why not?
  What will be an ideal response?

[AngeliqueG]

Answer to Question 1

Answer: Cognitive dissonance theory says that participants in the 1/20 experiment who were paid 20 had sufficient external justification for lying to the other participant about how enjoyable the experiment was, so they had no reason to change their attitude. In contrast, participants who told the other participant how enjoyable the (boring) experiment was for only 1 were engaging in counterattitudinal advocacy under the condition of insufficient justification for lying. These participants could resolve their dissonance by deciding they really did enjoy the experiment after all. In contrast, self-perception theory emphasizes that people explain their own behavior in the same way that an objective external observer would explain it. Thus, if an observer saw someone tell another that he or she enjoyed what appeared to be a boring experiment for 20, that observer might be suspicious about whether the other person was telling the truth and might infer that the person only said he or she liked it because of the high pay. But if an observer saw somebody tell another that he or she enjoyed the experiment for only 1, the observer would be more likely to conclude that the person really did enjoy the experiment. Two key differences differentiate when each theory is applicable: dissonance theory assumes that people have clear, strong attitudes that they are contradicting with their behavior, and thus says that people experience arousal. In contrast, self-perception theory applies when attitudes are vague or unclear, and no arousal is assumed. Given the presumed clear attitude in the 1/20 experiment, cognitive dissonance probably was operating.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: You would be most likely to remember strong arguments from Candidate A and weak arguments from Candidate B. You would be most likely to forget weak arguments from Candidate A and strong arguments from Candidate B. This happens because individuals are motivated to rationalize and reinforce their initial beliefs. Due to this process, individuals are unlikely to change their opinions, even after watching a debate.