AP Psychology – Social Psychology Practice Test

Leon Festinger's research on cognitive dissonance highlighted the relationship between financial incentives, task engagement, and belief change. When participants were given higher financial rewards for performing a task that they initially had little to no intrinsic interest in, their attitudes towards the task shifted. This shift occurred because, in order to resolve the dissonance created by their behavior (performing a task for money while not really enjoying it), individuals often change their beliefs about the task itself to align with their actions.

In scenarios where financial incentives are higher, participants tend to rationalize their engagement, leading to a greater likelihood of belief change. They might start to view the task as more enjoyable or meaningful in order to justify their actions and reduce inner conflict. Thus, when financial incentives are at play, there's a significant impact on belief change; participants alter their perceptions to align with their externally motivated behavior. This highlights the intricate ways in which motivation and attitude can interconnect within the framework of cognitive dissonance.