Social Psychology
Cognitive dissonance can often have a powerful influence on our behaviors and actions. In Sara’s case she was faced when the critical decision of doing what is right or doing what would make her and her friends happy. Even though, Sara knew that breaking her curfew was not acceptable, she did it to comfort a side of her that she had never came face to face with. Sara believed that if she would be spontaneous this time she would be seen as a cool person to hang out with and this would gain popularity among her new found friends.
When Sara was faced with the option to go to the party or go home on time, she thought about how exciting it would be to be a part of a group of people that seemed cool to hang out with. Sara did not see anything wrong with the misbehavior that struck her in an instant. She wanted to be like by her peers and by going along with them would get her perks within the blooming relationship. As the text states” conformity involves changing your thoughts or behavior to align with someone else’s.” This is exactly what Sara decided on. She chose to go along with the group’s decision rather then follow her own thinking.
As Sara was faced with the option of going to the party, her attitude toward her curfew was nonexistent. She exhibited the foot-in-the-door technique, as well as being persuaded by her friend to break her curfew to attend the party. Peripheral route to persuasion played a signifying role in the decision that Sara made. Sara was swayed by the aspect of wanting to be like by her friends, so the peripheral route to persuasion factor fits this assumption.
Jack and Sara were placed together because of the decision Sara had made prior to their meeting. The attraction that brought the two together was the common interest that they shared. Their attraction seems from similarity, physical interest, reciprocity of liking, and proximity. The couple shared the same music liking, their hobbies are compatible, and they live in the same neighborhood. Because all of these compatible interests are common among the two, this makes the attraction between them more exciting. Likeness is a significant factor for attraction.
Social interactions are the acts, actions, or practices of two or more people commonly oriented