Do Amnesics Exhibit Cognitive Dissonance Reduction? The Role of Explicit Memory and Attention in Attitude Change
Abstract
In two studies, we investigated the roles of explicit memory and attentional resources in the process of behavior-induced attitude change. Although most theories of attitude change (cognitive dissonance and self-perception theories) assume an important role for both mechanisms, we propose that behavior-induced attitude change can be a relatively automatic process that does not require explicit memory for, or consciously controlled processing of, the discrepancy between attitude and behavior. Using a free-choice paradigm, we found that both amnesics and normal participants under cognitive load showed as much attitude change as did control participants.
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The negative affective state resulting from conflicting representations may or may not be something the subject is aware of.
“although this negative affective state may or may not be something the subject is aware of (Lieberman et al., 2001 and see also Winkielman & Berridge, 2004 on unconscious affect and unconscious emotions in general as well as Berger, Nanay, & Quilty‐Dunn, 2018 for a philosophical summary).”
From Conative Dissonance (2026) · cites this paper as Lieberman et al., 2001
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“…& Devine, 1994, Kitayama, Chua, Tompson, & Han, 2013), although this negative affective state may or may not be something the subject is aware of (Lieberman et al., 2001 and see also Winkielman & Berridge, 2004 on unconscious affect and unconscious emotions in general as well as Berger, Nanay, &…”
Influential
- Authors
- Lieberman, M. D., Ochsner, K. N., Gilbert, D. T., & Schacter, D. L.
- Affiliations
- Harvard University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Lieberman, Matthew D.
- Venue
- Psychological Science
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2001-03
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 135-140
- ISSN
- 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
- 1467-9280
- OpenAlex
- W2100184858
- Cited by
- 317
- References
- 9
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 29 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 18 · 2012: 18
- FWCI
- 28.94
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH056075, R01 MH56075)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NS-26985, P50NS026985)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Keywords
- amnesia, cognitive dissonance, attitude change, declarative memory, attention, self-perception theory, free-choice paradigm, cognitive load, automatic processing
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aging, Attention, Attitude, Cognitive Dissonance, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Middle Aged, Models, Psychological, Case-Control Studies, Amnesia, Anterograde
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