Understanding the Psychological Phenomenon

Understanding the Psychological Phenomenon Behind Attitude Change Question: A college student actively promotes environmental conservation on social media and leads their campus sustainability club. During an internship interview with a high-paying oil company, they learn the position involves promoting fossil fuel development. Despite their previous environmental stance, they accept the lucrative job offer. To justify this decision, the student begins posting articles about how oil companies are investing in renewable energy, tells friends that change must come from within industries, and starts questioning the accuracy of climate change data they previously supported. When their sustainability club members confront them about this shift in behavior, the student insists their new perspective is more "realistic" and "economically informed." Which psychological phenomenon best explains the student's change in attitudes? (A) Self-serving bias (B) Conformity (C) Cognitive dissonance (D) Belief perseverance Answer: In this scenario, the college student exhibits a significant shift in their attitudes and beliefs regarding environmental conservation after accepting a lucrative position with an oil company. To analyze this behavior, we need to identify the psychological phenomenon that best explains their change in attitudes. Potential Answers    A) Self-serving bias: This refers to the tendency to attribute positive events to one's own character but attribute negative events to external factors. This phenomenon doesn't fully explain the student's change in belief, as their actions are not solely aimed at self-justification without maintaining any underlying beliefs. B) Conformity: Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms. While the student may be influenced by their new peer group in the oil company, this explanation doesn't account for the active reshaping of their beliefs about environmental issues. C) Cognitive dissonance: Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual holds conflicting beliefs or attitudes, leading to psychological discomfort. To alleviate this discomfort, they adjust their beliefs to align more closely with their behaviors — in this case, justifying their acceptance of the job by promoting views they initially opposed.  D) Belief perseverance: This refers to the tendency to hold on to one’s beliefs despite evidence to the contrary. While the student does show an initial commitment to environmentalism, they are actively changing their beliefs, which makes this explanation less fitting for the situation. Conclusion The psychological phenomenon that best explains the student's change in attitudes is C) Cognitive dissonance. Upon accepting the job, the student faced a conflict between their prior environmental beliefs and the demands of their new role. To resolve this dissonance, they began to shift their perspective, adopting more favorable views toward the oil industry and questioning established climate change data. For Further Exploration    Psychology Today: Cognitive Dissonance Simply Psychology: Cognitive Dissonance Theory NCBI: Cognitive Dissonance and Attitude Change