Left frontal cortical activation and spreading of alternatives: tests of the action-based model of dissonance.

Full Abstract

The action-based model of dissonance predicts that following decisional commitment, approach-oriented motivational processes occur to assist in translating the decision into effective and unconflicted behavior. Therefore, the modulation of these approach-oriented processes should affect the degree to which individuals change their attitudes to be more consistent with the decisional commitment (spreading of alternatives). Experiment 1 demonstrated that a neurofeedback-induced decrease in relative left frontal cortical activation, which has been implicated in approach motivational processes, caused a reduction in spreading of alternatives. Experiment 2 manipulated an action-oriented mindset following a decision and demonstrated that the action-oriented mindset caused increased activation in the left frontal cortical region as well as increased spreading of alternatives. Discussion focuses on how this integration of neuroscience and dissonance theory benefits both parent literatures.Copyright 2008 APA, all rights reserved.

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Author information

Author/s: Harmon-Jones, Eddie (E); Harmon-Jones, Cindy (C); Fearn, Meghan (M); Sigelman, Jonathan D (JD); Johnson, Peter (P);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. eddiehj@gmail.ocm

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Journal of personality and social psychology (J Pers Soc Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jan; vol 94 (issue 1) : pp 1-15

Dates: Created 2008/01/08; Completed 2008/02/28;

PMID: 18179314, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Decision Making
Female
Humans
Male
Models, Psychological
Prefrontal Cortex - physiology

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