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Reexploring the connection between terror management theory and dissonance theory
Ronald S Friedman1, Jamie Arndt
1University of Missouri-Columbia.
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|August 2, 2005
Summary
Reminders of mortality significantly increase cognitive dissonance reduction efforts. This study found that mortality salience amplifies concerns with cognitive consistency, especially when individuals have high choice in counterattitudinal tasks.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Mortality Salience Research
Background:
- Previous research suggested a link between mortality reminders and dissonance reduction.
- Cognitive dissonance theory explains how individuals strive for internal consistency.
- Understanding the influence of existential concerns on psychological processes is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically test whether mortality salience intensifies dissonance reduction.
- To investigate the moderating role of choice in the relationship between mortality salience and dissonance reduction.
- To provide robust evidence for the impact of mortality salience on cognitive consistency.
Main Methods:
- An induced-compliance experiment was designed.
- Participants wrote counterattitudinal essays on a boring topic under high or low choice conditions.
- Mortality salience (MS) or uncertainty salience (control) was manipulated.
Main Results:
- Dissonance reduction (attitude change) occurred in the control group.
- Mortality salience significantly exacerbated attitude change compared to the control group.
- Findings were consistent with predictions, demonstrating amplified dissonance reduction under MS.
Conclusions:
- Mortality salience amplifies concerns with cognitive consistency.
- The study provides strong support for the hypothesis that existential concerns heighten dissonance reduction.
- These findings advance our understanding of how awareness of death influences psychological regulation.