I'm a hypocrite, but so is everyone else: Group support and the reduction of cognitive dissonance.

Abstract

The impact of social support on dissonance arousal was investigated from a social identity view of dissonance theory. This perspective is seen as augmenting current conceptualizations of dissonance theory by predicting when normative information will impact on dissonance arousal and by indicating the availability of identity-related strategies of dissonance reduction. An experiment was conducted to induce feelings of hypocrisy under conditions of behavioral support or nonsupport. Group salience was either high or low, or individual identity was emphasized. As predicted, participants with no support from the salient in-group exhibited the greatest need to reduce dissonance through attitude change and reduced levels of group identification. Results were interpreted in terms of self being central to the arousal and reduction of dissonance.

Psychological Pathways to Fraud: Understanding and Preventing Fraud in Organizations

“…Similarly, individuals can diffuse responsibility in several ways. One easy way is to argue that ''everybody does it'' (Bandura, 1999;Callahan, 2004;McKimmie et al, 2003). Richard Scrushy, the former CEO of HealthSouth, allegedly stated that ''all companies fudge their numbers'' (Stuart, 2005).…”

Dissonance averted: Self-concept organization moderates the effect of hypocrisy on attitude change

“…For instance, people who promote safety yet acknowledge past unsafe sexual practices later buy more condoms (Stone, Aronson, Crain, Winslow, & Fried, 1994) and individuals who make sexist assumptions that violate their egalitarian beliefs provide more generous affirmative action judgments in the wake of their guilt (Sherman & Gorkin, 1980). In addition to changing behaviors, people can respond to dissonance by changing their attitudes to promote consistency too (Fried, 1998;McKimmie et al, 2003). In short, acting in ways that contradict one's ideals compels people to modify their beliefs or actions to eliminate inconsistencies and restore psychological consonance (Aronson, 1997;Stone & Fernandez, 2008).…”

Sizing fish and ponds: The joint effects of individual- and group-based feedback

“…The former should again seek to minimise the difference between themselves and the group by improving individual performance, while the latter may disengage from a group that behaves inconsistently with one's own behavior (e.g. McKimmie et al, 2003). Among low-identifiers, this disengagement may be revealed in attempts to shift one's behavior further away from positive standards set by the group towards lower sustainability (cf.…”