Chapter 6

Question 1

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Answer 1

Idea that ppl have distaste for perceiving inconsistencies in their beliefs, attitudes and behaviour that they will bias their own attitudes and beliefs to try to deny inconsistencies.

Question 2

Three ways to reduce dissonance:

Answer 2

• change one of the cognitions
• add a third cognition that makes other two seem less inconsistent w ea other
• trivialize the cognitions that are inconsistent

Question 3

Free choice paradigm (dissonance paradigm)

Answer 3

Lab situation where ppl make a choice between two alternatives and after-attraction to alternatives is assessed.

Question 4

Induced compliance paradigm

Answer 4

Lab situation where participants are induced to engage in behaviour that runs against their beliefs.

Question 5

Induced hypocrisy paradigm

Answer 5

Lab situation where participants asked to advocate an opinion they believe in, but then reminded about a time their actions ran counter to that opinion, thereby arousing dissonance.

Question 6

Effort Justification

Answer 6

Phenomenon where ppl reduce dissonance by convincing themselves that what they suffered for was quite valuable.

Question 7

Minimal deterrence

Answer 7

Minimal level of external justification necessary to deter unwanted behaviour

Question 8

Self-concept clarity

Answer 8

Clearly defined, internally consistent, and temporarily stable self-concept.

Question 9

Self-verification

Answer 9

Seeking out others and social situations that support the way one views oneself in order to sustain a consistent and clear self-concept.

Question 10

Self complexity

Answer 10

Extent to which an individual’s self-concept consists of many different aspects

Question 11

Self-narrative

Answer 11

Coherent life story that connects one’s past, present, and possible future.

Question 12

Possible selves

Answer 12

Images of what the self might become in the future.

Question 13

Self-handicapping

Answer 13

Placing obstacles in the way of one’s own success to protect self-esteem from a possible future failure.

Question 14

Projection

Answer 14

Assigning to others traits that ppl fear they possess themselves.

Question 15

Theory of Symbolic self-completion

Answer 15

Idea that when ppl perceive that a self-defining aspect is threatened, they feel incomplete, and then try to compensate by acquiring and displaying symbols that support their desired self-definition.

Question 16

Fluid compensation

Answer 16

After a blow to self-esteem in one domain, ppl shore up sense of self-worth by bolstering how they think of themselves in an unrelated domain.

Question 17

Self-affirmation theory

Answer 17

Idea that ppl respond less defensively to threats to one aspect of themselves if they think about another valued aspect of themselves.

Question 18

Self-evaluation maintenance model

Answer 18

Idea that ppl adjust their perceived similarity to successful others to minimize threatening comparisons and maximize self-esteem-supporting identifications.

Question 19

Sociometer model

Answer 19

Idea that basic function of self-esteem is to indicate to the individual how much they are accepted by other ppl.

Question 20

Self-determination theory

Answer 20

Idea that ppl function best when they feel their best when they feel their actions stem from their own desires rather than from external factors.

Question 21

Locus of control

Answer 21

The extent to which a person believes that either internal or external factors determine life outcomes.

Question 22

Relatedness:
Autonomy:
competence:

Answer 22

• being meaningfully connected w others
• feeling sense of authentic choice in what one does
• feeling effective in what one does