Final answer:
The insufficient justification effect involves reducing dissonance by under justifying one's behavior when external justification is insufficient. Option d) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The insufficient justification effect is a psychological phenomenon where individuals alleviate cognitive dissonance by minimizing the justification for their actions, especially when external reasons for those actions are lacking. This effect captures the inclination of individuals to align their attitudes or beliefs with their behaviors when those behaviors lack apparent external justification. For instance, consider a scenario where someone performs a favor for an individual they harbor dislike towards, and there is no external reward or compelling reason for their action. Faced with the absence of external justification, individuals experiencing the insufficient justification effect may internally reconcile this dissonance by reshaping their attitudes.
In the given example, the individual might rationalize their seemingly contradictory behavior by convincing themselves that they acted out of inherent helpfulness and kindness. This internal reinterpretation serves as a form of self-justification, as it harmonizes their behavior with their self-perception as a benevolent person. The insufficient justification effect sheds light on the dynamic interplay between actions, attitudes, and the psychological mechanisms individuals employ to maintain a sense of coherence in their self-concept, even in situations where external justifications are lacking.