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What scene in the show friends represents cognitive dissonance

User Amari
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Professor Gent described three hypotheses to reduce the dissonance we feel when our actions and attitudes do not meet. The first of these is selective exposure, which describes how we try to limit our exposure to warm accepting environments where people have similar beliefs as us. We tend to avoid information and situations that may cause dissonance. The second is post decision, which takes place after we have made a decision that causes strong doubts. We tend to have a need for reassurance. And finally, there is minimal justification. This argues that if we want to spark an attitude change in others, we need to motivate them (Gent, “Cognitive Dissonance Theory”). These can be found in season 4, episode 16, “The One with the Fake Party.” In this episode Phoebe is pregnant with her brother’s triplets and is having bad morning sickness. She is a vegetarian, but the only food that does not make her want to throw up is meat. She is torn between her beliefs as a vegetarian and what her babies want to eat, an example of dissonance. She eats a meat filled sandwich and Joey stops her, telling her it is against her beliefs. Phoebe instantly feels guilty about it and like she has murdered a cow. She needs reassurance, so Joey promises that he will not eat any more meat until the babies are born so that Phoebe can, and no extra cows will die, justifying her meat-eating habits. (270)
User Afkbowflexin
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