PSC 151 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Impact Bias
Document Summary
Cognitive dissonance: the discomfort that people feel when 2 cognitions (beliefs, attitudes) conflict, or when they behave in ways that are inconsistent with their conception of themselves. Self - affirmation: in the context of dissonance theory, a way of reducing dissonance by reminding oneself of 1 or more one one"s positive attributes. Impact bias: the tendency to overestimate the intensity & duration of one"s emotional reactions to future negative events. Postdecision dissonance: dissonance aroused after making a decision, typically reduced by enhancing the attractiveness of the chosen alternative & devaluating the rejected alternatives. Justification of effort: the tendency for individuals to increase their liking for something they have worked hard to attain. External justification: a reason or an explanation for dissonant personal behavior that resides outside the individual. Ex: to receive a large reward or avoid a severe punishment. Internal justification: the reduction of dissonance by changing something about oneself.
