Final answer:
Individuals show physiological arousal when placed in a cognitive dissonance situation, a psychological discomfort arising from inconsistent beliefs or behaviors that conflict with one's positive self-image.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research shows that when placed in a cognitive dissonance situation, individuals show physiological arousal. Cognitive dissonance is defined as the psychological discomfort that arises from a conflict in a person's behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs that runs counter to one's positive self-perception.
Psychologist Leon Festinger's theory states that experiencing a conflict between our beliefs and behaviors can cause psychological discomfort. For instance, believing that smoking is detrimental to health, but continuing to smoke, creates cognitive dissonance. To alleviate this discomfort, an individual can either change their behavior, such as quitting smoking, or reconcile their beliefs by discounting the evidence about smoking being harmful.