Self-perception: An alternative interpretation of cognitive dissonance phenomena.

A theory of self-percepti on is proposed to provide an alternative interpretation for several of the major phenomena embraced by Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance and to explicate some of the secondary patterns of data that have appeared in dissonance experiments. It is suggested that the attitude statements which comprise the major dependent variables in dissonance experiments may be regarded as interpersonal judgments in which the observer and the observed happen to be the same individual and that it is unnecessary to postulate an aversive motivational drive toward consistency to account for the attitude change phenomena observed. Supporting experiments are presented, and metatheoretical contrasts between the "radical" behavioral approach utilized and the phenomenological approach typified by dissonance theory are discussed.

[1]  T. Abel,et al.  Mind, Self, and Society , 1934 .

[2]  G. Ryle,et al.  心的概念 = The concept of mind , 1962 .

[3]  M. Scriven.  A study of radical behaviorism , 1956 .

[4]  Irving L. Janis,et al.  Comparison of the Effectiveness of Improvised Versus Non-Improvised Role-Playing in Producing Opinion Changes , 1956 .

[5]  C. Osgood,et al.  The Measurement of Meaning , 1958 .

[6]  W. A. Scott.  Attitude change through reward of verbal behavior. , 1957, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[7]  L. Festinger,et al.  A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance , 2017 .

[8]  Contemporary Approaches to Cognition.@@@A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. , 1958 .

[9]  H. Feigl,et al.  The foundations of science and the concepts of psychology and psychoanalysis , 1958 .

[10]  J. Brehm,et al.  Attitude change and justification for compliance. , 1958, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[11]  J. M. Kittross.  The measurement of meaning , 1959 .

[12]  J. Brehm,et al.  Re-evaluation of choice alternatives as a function of their number and qualitative similarity. , 1959, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[13]  L. Festinger,et al.  Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. , 2011, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[14]  J. Brehm,et al.  Verbalization and reactions to cognitive dissonance1 , 1959 .

[15]  W. A. Scott,et al.  Attitude Change by Response Reinforcement: Replication and Extension , 1959 .

[16]  C. Osgood.  COGNITIVE DYNAMICS IN THE CONDUCT OF HUMAN AFFAIRS , 1960 .

[17]  Robert B. Zajonc,et al.  THE CONCEPTS OF BALANCE, CONGRUITY, AND DISSONANCE , 1960 .

[18]  Robert Liebendorfer.  Mind, self and society , 1960 .

[19]  E. Aronson,et al.  Performance expectancy as a determinant of actual performance. , 1962, Journal of abnormal and social psychology.

[20]  J. Brehm,et al.  Explorations in Cognitive Dissonance , 1962 .

[21]  Dana Dramel.  A dissonance theory approach to defensive projection. , 1962 .

[22]  D. Bramel.  A dissonance theory approach to defensive projection. , 1962, Journal of abnormal and social psychology.

[23]  J. Singer,et al.  Cognitive, social, and physiological determinants of emotional state. , 1962, Psychological review.

[24]  Explorations in Cognitive Dissonance. , 1963 .

[25]  C. Greenbaum,et al.  COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL DEPRIVATION AND VERBAL CONDITIONING. , 1963, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[26]  H. Eysenck.  Deterrents and reinforcement: Douglas H. Lawrence and Leon Festinger: Tavistock Publications, London, 1962. pp. 180, 32s , 1963 .

[27]  B. Lott.  SECONDARY REINFORCEMENT AND EFFORT: COMMENT ON ARONSON'S "THE EFFECT OF EFFORT ON THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF REWARDED AND UNREWARDED STIMULI". , 1963, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[28]  T. Brock,et al.  Dissonance, awareness, and motivation. , 1963, Journal of abnormal and social psychology.

[29]  A. Chapanis,et al.  COGNITIVE DISSONANCE: FIVE YEARS LATER. , 1964, Psychological bulletin.

[30]  COGNITIVE DISSONANCE: FIVE YEARS LATER. , 1964, Psychological bulletin.

[31]  L. Festinger.  Conflict, Decision, and Dissonance , 1964 .

[32]  K. Back,et al.  A PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT OF COGNITIVE DISSONANCE UNDER STRESS AND DEPRIVATION. , 1964, Journal of abnormal psychology.

[33]  J. Freedman.  Long-term behavioral effects of cognitive dissonance. , 1965 .

[34]  M. J. Rosenberg,et al.  WHEN DISSONANCE FAILS: ON ELIMINATING EVALUATION APPREHENSION FROM ATTITUDE MEASUREMENT. , 1965, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[35]  J. B. Gilmore,et al.  THE INFLUENCE OF INCENTIVE CONDITIONS ON THE SUCCESS OF ROLE PLAYING IN MODIFYING ATTITUDES. , 1965, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[36]  D. Bem.  An experimental analysis of self-persuasion☆ , 1965 .

[37]  G. Ryle,et al.  The concept of mind. , 2004, The International journal of psycho-analysis.

[38]  P G Zimbardo,et al.  Control of Pain Motivation by Cognitive Dissonance , 1966, Science.

[39]  E. Aronson.  The Psychology of Insufficient Justification: An Analysis of Some Conflicting Data , 1966 .

[40]  D. Bem,et al.  Inducing belief in false confessions. , 1966, Journal of personality and social psychology.

[41]  Karl E. Weick,et al.  Dissonance and task enhancement: A problem for compensation theory?☆ , 1967 .