Cognitive dissonance: insufficient justification
Participants paid $1 to tell others a boring task was fun later rated the task as more enjoyable than participants paid $20. This finding is explained by:
Answer B: explanation for every choice
A
The overjustification effect is an external reward undermining existing intrinsic interest. Here a small reward led to a more positive attitude.
B
Correct. With only $1 as justification for lying, participants reduced the discomfort of the inconsistency by changing their attitude toward the task.
C
Social desirability bias is answering in ways that look good. It does not explain the difference between the two pay groups.
D
Foot-in-the-door is gaining compliance with a large request after a small one.
TakeawayToo little justification for a behavior → change the attitude to match it.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps65.