Not All Attempts to Reduce Cognitive Dissonance Are Counterproductive

question 199

Multiple Choice

Not all attempts to reduce cognitive dissonance are counterproductive.For example,Shelley Taylor and her colleagues (1989,1995,1996) have found that

• A)people who harbor unrealistic illusions about surviving terminal illness can actually live longer.
• B)smokers who reduce cognitive dissonance by changing one of their inconsistent cognitions are often able to quit.
• C)inconsistent cognitions can actually cause people to engage in safe sex practices.
• D)people who hold self-serving cognitions seldom experience cognitive dissonance.

---

Definitions:

Impaired Mental

Refers to a reduction in cognitive functioning that affects processes such as memory, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Central Nervous System

The part of the nervous system that includes the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and sending out information.

Stimulants

Substances that increase activity in the central nervous system, leading to increased alertness, attention, and energy.

Sensory and Perceptual

Refers to the processes by which we receive, interpret, and understand sensory information from our environment.