Question

495. David has always opposed the death penalty, believing it is not the place

of the government to take the life of another person. After his best friend
was murdered, David wanted nothing more than to see the murderer get
the justice he or she deserved. Because the murder occurred in the state of
Texas, this would mean justice would be served with the death penalty.
Th e dissonance theory would state that:
(A) David would have no confl ict in seeing the murderer put to death.
(B) David would have to change one of his attitudes to feel less tension.
(C) Justifi cation of the death penalty would be appropriate in this
situation.
(D) Morally, David would not support the death penalty under any
circumstance.
(E) David would change his opinion in support of the death penalty.

Answer 1

David faces tension between his moral opposition to the death penalty and his desire for justice for his friend's murder. Cognitive dissonance theory suggests he must change one of his attitudes to reduce this tension. The correct option is B.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to cognitive dissonance theory, which posits that when an individual holds two contradictory beliefs or attitudes, psychological tension arises.

In the scenario described, David opposes the death penalty on moral grounds, yet he feels a strong desire for justice to be served when his friend is murdered in a state where the death penalty is a form of justice.

According to cognitive dissonance theory, the correct answer is that David would have to change one of his attitudes to feel less tension (Option B). This necessitates either altering his stance on the death penalty or reconciling his desire for justice with his moral opposition to capital punishment. The correct option is B.