MCAT Behavioral Sciences Question 206: Answer and Explanation

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Question: 206

4. Suppose that an individual who proclaims to be staunchly opposed to consuming animal products (a vegan) falls in love with someone who regularly eats meat. According to cognitive dissonance theory, the vegan might do all of the following EXCEPT:

  • A. downplay the role of veganism in his or her life.
  • B. continue to remain outspoken about his or her views against consuming animal products and remain in the relationship with the person who regularly eats meat.
  • C. justify breaking off his or her relationship with the meat-eater due to incompatibility.
  • D. attempt to convince his partner to eat less meat by showing her information about the personal and environmental benefits of veganism.

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

According to cognitive dissonance theory, human behavior can be explained by the idea that people have a bias to seek consonance between their thoughts and beliefs (cognitions). According to this theory, people will engage in "dissonance reduction" when two of their cognitions are incompatible (in this case, avid veganism and falling in love with a meat-eater). Cognitive dissonance theory predicts that people will attempt to lower dissonance in three ways: by lowering the importance of one of the discordant factors, by adding consonant elements, or by changing one of the dissonant factors. Therefore, the individual is most likely to: downplay the role of veganism in his or her life (lowering the importance of one of the discordant factors; choice A is something the individual is likely to do and can be eliminated), justify breaking off the relationship with the meat-eater (changing one of the dissonant factors; choice C is something the individual is likely to do and can be eliminated), or attempt to convince his or her partner to eat less meat (adding consonant elements; choice D is something the individual is likely to do and can be eliminated). Therefore, according to cognitive dissonance theory, the vegan is least likely to do nothing at all—remain in the relationship and remain committed to veganism (choice B unlikely and is the correct answer choice).

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