Cognitive Dissonance Activity
Instruction:

Read the situation below and respond to the questions. Each question requires a
response of at least 2-3 paragraphs.
Situation:

You went to the doctor two weeks ago and learned that you had high cholesterol.
Age, gender, high blood pressure, sugar consumption, family history, and lack of
physical activity are all risk factors for heart disease. However, you don't have some
risk factors like smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or being overweight. Your
doctor has prescribed a low-fat, high-fiber diet that includes whole grains and plenty
of fresh fruits and vegetables (at least five portions per day) as well as limiting sugar
intake. You and your family had previously scheduled a cruise holiday for your
family. You continue to eat as you did before starting your new diet while aboard
the cruise.
Questions:
1. Did you, as the main character, experience some dissonance as a result if this
particular circumstance? If not, why?
2. What conditions for cognitive dissonance were not met? If so, how strong was the
dissonance?
3. Did anyone in the situation experience more dissonance than you did? Why or why
not?
4. If you experienced some dissonance in relation to this situation, which dissonance
reducing mechanism would work best?
Deadline: October 29, 2021 (Friday, 11:59 pm)