Trait Approach Motivation Relates to Dissonance Reduction Academic Article

abstract

• Over 50 years of work on cognitive dissonance theory has suggested that dissonance reduction is a motivated process. However, no research has unambiguously demonstrated the direction of this motivationwhether it is approach or avoidance oriented. The action-based model of dissonance proposes that dissonance reduction is an approach-related process that assists in the implementation of decisions. It follows from the action-based model that approach-related personality traits should be related to greater dissonance reduction. The current research tested this idea. Study 1 found that trait behavioral approach sensitivity (BAS) related to more spreading of alternatives (more liking for the chosen over the rejected decision alternative) following a difficult decision. Study 2 found that BAS related to attitudes being more consistent with recent induced compliance behavior. This research therefore suggests that dissonance reduction is an approach-motivated process.

authors

• Schmeichel, Brandon

published proceedings

• SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PERSONALITY SCIENCE

author list (cited authors)

• Harmon-Jones, C., Schmeichel, B. J., Inzlicht, M., & Harmon-Jones, E.

citation count

• 44

complete list of authors

• Harmon-Jones, Cindy||Schmeichel, Brandon J||Inzlicht, Michael||Harmon-Jones, Eddie

publication date

• January 2011

publisher

• SAGE Publications  Publisher

published in

• Social Psychological and Personality Science  Journal

keywords

• Affect-cognition Interface
• Attitudes
• Dissonance
• Individual Differences
• Motivation/goals

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1177/1948550610379425

start page

• 21

end page

• 28

volume

• 2

issue

• 1

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1948550610379425