Question

Large rewards and severe punishments are examples of ______ justification for behaviour and result in _____ changes in attitude.

• A. internal; big
• B. external; big
• C. internal; small
• D. external; small

Hint:

Remember the rule of thumb from dissonance theory: \textbf{big reward/penalty} $\Rightarrow$ \textbf{external justification} $\Rightarrow$ \textbf{small} attitude change; \textbf{small reward/penalty} $\Rightarrow$ \textbf{internal justification} $\Rightarrow$ \textbf{big} attitude change.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Define justifications. {External justification} refers to doing a behavior because of outside pressures/rewards (e.g., big prize; harsh penalty). {Internal justification} means aligning attitudes to justify one’s behavior when external pressure is insufficient. 

Step 2: Dissonance prediction. When rewards/punishments are {large}, people can attribute their behavior to external causes, so they experience little dissonance and need only a {small} change in attitude. Conversely, {small} rewards/punishments produce insufficient external justification, prompting larger internal attitude change. 

Step 3: Choose the option. Therefore: \(\underline{external}\) justification; \(\underline{small} \)attitude change \(\Rightarrow\) (D). 
Final Answer: (D)