TY - JOUR
T1 - Trivialization
T2 - The Forgotten Mode of Dissonance Reduction
AU - Simon, Linda
AU - Greenberg, Jeff
AU - Brehm, Jack
PY - 1995/2
Y1 - 1995/2
N2 - Trivialization as a mode of dissonance reduction and the conditions under which it is likely to occur were explored in 4 studies. Study 1 tested and supported the hypothesis that when the preexisting attitude is made salient, participants will trivialize the dissonant cognitions rather than change their attitudes. Study 2 tested and supported the hypothesis that following a counterattitudinal behavior, participants will choose the first mode of dissonance reduction provided for them, whether it is trivialization or attitude change. Study 3 tested and supported the hypothesis that following a counter attitudinal behavior, the typical self-affirmation treatment leads to trivialization. Study 4 demonstrated that providing a trivializing frame by making an important issue salient also encourages trivialization rather than attitude change even when there was no opportunity for self-affirmation. The implications for cognitive dissonance theory and research are briefly discussed.
AB - Trivialization as a mode of dissonance reduction and the conditions under which it is likely to occur were explored in 4 studies. Study 1 tested and supported the hypothesis that when the preexisting attitude is made salient, participants will trivialize the dissonant cognitions rather than change their attitudes. Study 2 tested and supported the hypothesis that following a counterattitudinal behavior, participants will choose the first mode of dissonance reduction provided for them, whether it is trivialization or attitude change. Study 3 tested and supported the hypothesis that following a counter attitudinal behavior, the typical self-affirmation treatment leads to trivialization. Study 4 demonstrated that providing a trivializing frame by making an important issue salient also encourages trivialization rather than attitude change even when there was no opportunity for self-affirmation. The implications for cognitive dissonance theory and research are briefly discussed.
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U2 - 10.1037/0022-3514.68.2.247
DO - 10.1037/0022-3514.68.2.247
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:21844498659
SN - 0022-3514
VL - 68
SP - 247
EP - 260
JO - Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
JF - Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
IS - 2
ER -