Reason for the Correct Answer:
Behavioral change is not usually achieved successfully with “shock” or “scare” tactics, and they do not necessarily create dissonance.
Passive or educational strategies do not typically create dissonance.
Dissonance is best created when individuals have to directly and actively confront their beliefs.
Based on what you know about behavioral change, which of these strategies would be most effective in helping these participants using a cognitive dissonance approach?
A. Showing participants a film that examines the obesity crisis in America and links it to dietary choices and processed foods specifically.
B. Developing warning labels for junk foods and sticking them on products, so that participants are directly confronted with information.
C. Requiring participants to develop and present a critique of the nutritional content of their favorite unhealthy foods.
D. Handing out a pamphlet that outlines the development of processed foods, specifically highlighting aspects that will disgust participants.
Participants from each demographic were equally represented, so the bulk of participants were not from the food industry.
The executives were not present during the focus groups, so any desire to please them is not likely a factor.
In a large group setting (such as the one depicted in this passage), individuals sometimes feel the need to match the attitudes, statements, and beliefs of those around them. Given that the bulk of the participants agreed on this topic, they could have based their statements on a need to fit in with the group.
Over 95% of the sample stated that they believed it was important to purchase and consume healthy, unprocessed foods. Given that the individuals were asked this question verbally, in a group setting by research staff, which of the following could be a reasonable alternative explanation as to why such a high number of individuals stated a belief in the importance of healthy foods?
A. Participants reported that healthy food was important because the bulk of participants were from the health food industry.
B. Participants reported that healthy food was important because they wanted to please the executives who were running the study.
C. Participants reported that healthy food was important because they did not want to offend group members from the health industry.
D. Participants reported that healthy food was important because they were asked in a group setting and felt pressure to conform.
In this example, selective exposure would most likely refer to avoidance of the junk food to reduce dissonance.
Post-decision dissonance often follows an impulsive purchase that is difficult to return.
Minimal justification also often follows an impulsive action which was performed without a real reason. Thus, it is likely post-decision dissonance and minimal justification.
One of the participants states that she often purchases junk food on an impulse as she is leaving the grocery store and feels guilty about it later. Which of the following describes this phenomenon?
A. Both post-decision dissonance and minimal justification, because she regrets the decision and has no real reason to purchase the item.
B. Both selective exposure and post-decision dissonance, because she is able to avoid her feelings until she leaves the grocery store but regrets it later.
C. Post-decision dissonance, because she regrets the decision afterwards and it is difficult to return the purchase.
D. Minimal justification, because she knows that there was really no reason to purchase the item and it makes her feel guilty.
In this particular research question, the executives are not interested in beliefs about price.
In this particular research question, the executives are not interested in prices of other products, like processed products.
An independent variable in a study is manipulated, whereas the dependent variable is the factor in a study that is expected to change based on manipulation. The executives are manipulating prices and expect to see changes in sales.
The executives decide to manipulate the price of the unprocessed health product to see if that affects sales. In this “study,” what are the independent (IV) and dependent variables (DV)?
A. IV: sales of unprocessed product; DV: price of unprocessed product
B. IV: price of unprocessed product; DV: sales of unprocessed product
C. IV: price of unprocessed product; DV: beliefs about price
D. IV: price of unprocessed product; DV; price of processed product
General budgeting and supermarket coupons will not necessarily impact attitudes about the price of healthy foods.
The dissonance strategy must be focused on the price of foods, not health care costs.
Taking participants to a farmer’s market and teaching them to select inexpensive produce would directly challenge their beliefs about the price of healthy foods.
Which of the following might create the most dissonance about the price of healthy foods?
A. Purchasing empty calorie foods for participants while outlining how these foods will increase their healthcare costs later in life
B. Teaching participants to budget and giving out a coupon book that will decrease their overall costs at the supermarket
C. Teaching participants about meal planning on a budget and taking them to a farmer’s market to learn how to select, purchase, and prepare inexpensive produce
D. Creating a handout that lists vegetables that are expensive but extremely nutrient dense, with information about their disease-fighting properties
