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Chapter 6
The Need to Justify Our Actions
Total Assessment Guide (T.A.G.)
Question
Topic Fact Concept Application
Type
Multiple 1
Introduction Choice
Essay
The Theory of Multiple 2, 3, 8, 16, 18, 19, 6, 10, 22, 26, 32, 34, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13,
Cognitive Choice 21, 27, 28, 31, 33, 35, 39, 40, 42, 43, 45, 14, 15, 17, 20, 23, 24,
Dissonance 36, 46, 52, 57, 69, 47, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 25, 29, 30, 37, 38, 41,
70, 72, 73, 74, 76, 55, 60, 63, 67, 75, 81, 44, 51, 56, 58, 59, 61,
77, 78, 80, 84 82, 83, 85 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 71,
79
Essay 183, 187, 189 184, 185, 186, 188
Self- Multiple 87, 88, 98, 99, 101, 86, 89, 91, 95, 96, 100, 90, 92, 93, 94, 97,
Justification in Choice 102, 105, 110, 113, 103, 107, 108, 109, 104, 106, 112, 120,
Everyday Life 115, 117, 118, 125, 111, 114, 116, 119, 124, 127, 128, 129,
131, 135, 138, 142, 121, 122, 123, 126, 130, 133, 134, 136,
146, 156, 157, 166, 132, 139, 140, 141, 137, 144, 148, 149,
168, 169, 177, 180 143, 145, 147, 150, 151, 152, 158, 159,
153, 154, 155, 160, 171, 181
161, 162, 163, 164,
165, 167, 170, 172,
173, 174, 175, 176,
178, 179, 182
Essay 192 190, 193, 195, 197 191, 194, 196
1
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER 6 THE NEED TO JUSTIFY OUR ACTIONS:
THE COSTS AND BENEFITS OF
DISSONANCE REDUCTION
________________________________________________________________________________
Multiple Choice
Choose the one alternative that best completes the statement or answers the question.
1. Members of the Heaven’s Gate cult, who “knew” there was a spaceship following the Hale-Bopp comet,
returned a perfectly good telescope they had purchased because they failed to see the spaceship they “knew”
was there. Such behaviors demonstrate that
a. cult leaders go to great lengths to brainwash their members.
b. people will often go to extreme lengths to justify their actions or beliefs.
c. pleasant, smart, reasonable people are seldom drawn to cults.
d. scientists, like many of us, are fascinated with the macabre, gruesome aspects of life.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 158
Topic: Introduction
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
2. According to the authors of your text, one of the most powerful determinants of human behavior stems from our
need to
a. acquire as much social power as possible.
b. forge strong connections with other people.
c. preserve and maintain a relatively favorable view of ourselves.
d. behave in rational, logical, reasonable ways.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 158
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
3. When people act contrary to their self-perceptions as reasonable and sensible people, they experience a feeling
known as ________.
a. defensive attribution
b. low self-esteem
c. affective ambivalence
d. cognitive dissonance
Answer: D
Difficulty: 1
Page(s) in Text: 158
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
4. Hai has been taking expensive beta-carotene supplements for years because he believes they will reduce his risk
of cancer. Hai has just learned that a well-controlled study published in the prestigious New England Journal of
Medicine showed that beta-carotene supplements do not reduce cancer risk. Hai is probably experiencing
a. cognitive dissonance.
b. self-affirmation.
c. the rationalization trap.
d. self-discrepancy.
2
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 158
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
5. George thinks of himself as an honest person until his brother reminds him that he’s been known to keep extra
change given to him by a cashier and to stock his home office for a sideline business with supplies taken from
his job. George is now probably feeling a sense of discomfort known as
a. misattribution of arousal.
b. self-serving bias.
c. cognitive dissonance.
d. anxiety.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 158
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
7. Susan carefully rinses her mouth with an unpleasant-tasting mouthwash every day. One day, Susan reads an
article reporting credible dental research that suggests that mouthwash is completely ineffective and that
mouthwash may even be related to tooth decay. The discomfort that Susan experiences in response to this
article is called
a. insufficient justification.
b. cognitive dissonance.
c. self-discrepancy.
d. self-justification.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 158
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
8. Of the following, how are individuals most likely to reduce cognitive dissonance?
a. By pretending they did not perform a particular behavior.
b. By reducing their total number of cognitions.
c. By adding new cognitions that are consistent with their behavior.
d. By decreasing their arousal.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 159
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
3
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
9. “Live fast and die young, that’s what I always say,” Rosie pronounces, as she stuffs down three more Ding-
Dong snack cakes and opens another pint of high-fat ice cream. Rosie knows that her diet is unhealthy and
harmful, of course. To reduce her dissonance, Rosie is
a. changing her behavior to bring it in line with her cognitions.
b. changing a problem cognition to make it more consonant with her behavior.
c. adding a cognition that is consonant with her problem behavior.
d. engaging in self-affirmation to combat cognitive dissonance.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 159
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
10. The most typical ways of reducing dissonance include all of the following EXCEPT
a. forgetting about our past statements that contradict our behavior.
b. changing our behavior to bring it into line with dissonant cognitions.
c. justifying our behavior by changing dissonant cognitions.
d. justifying our behavior by adding new cognitions.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 159
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
11. You’ve recently learned that eating avocados, which you love, is bad for your health. To reduce the dissonance
you experience after reading this news, you would most likely
a. question the validity of the research and the integrity of the scientists.
b. consume a larger quantity of avocados.
c. tell all of your friends about the findings.
d. reread the article more carefully.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 159
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
12. A tobacco grower says, “I’m not the only one growing it. If I stop, someone else will be there.” Assuming that
the man was experiencing dissonance from the fact that he was making his living from a crop that is bad for
people’s health, he appears to be reducing this dissonance by
a. changing his behavior.
b. changing his cognitions.
c. adding new cognitions.
d. self-affirmation in an unrelated domain.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 159
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
13. “There’s no way I’d give up drinking! I’d just be stressed out all the time,” says Lilly, as she sips her third
martini of the evening. Lilly’s comments about her drinking habit are an example of using ________ to reduce
cognitive dissonance.
a. minimized shift
b. justification
4
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
c. behavior change
d. cognitive change
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 159
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
14. Talia loves animals but still eats meat. When she experiences dissonance about the contradiction, she tells
herself that she also volunteers her time at an animal shelter. This manner of reducing dissonance involves
a. self-affirmation.
b. priming.
c. self-handicapping.
d. growth mindset.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 160
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
15. Emile just ditched a friend at a party to spend time with a pretty woman. Emile feels uncomfortable but he tells
himself it’s because the woman is so hot and not because he treated his friend badly. The way he’s feeling is
dissonance, but he tells himself it’s sexual attraction. This describes which of the following?
a. self-affirmation
b. self-esteem
c. misattribution of arousal
d. priming
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 160
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
16. When people try to maintain their self-esteem and reduce cognitive dissonance, they may resort to maladaptive
thinking known as
a. heuristics.
b. schemas.
c. norms.
d. rationalizing.
Answer: D
Difficulty: 1
Page(s) in Text: 160
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
17. Scott believes very strongly that saccharine is an unsafe sugar substitute that may even cause cancer. Even
though Scott is diabetic, and thus should be using sugar substitutes, he often opts for sugar-laden foods and
drinks to avoid saccharine. “I’ll just exercise more later; the sugar isn’t a big deal. I’m really being healthier by
avoiding saccharine,” he thinks to himself. Scott’s behavior and thoughts are examples of ________ in the face
of cognitive dissonance.
a. harmonizing
b. rationalizing
c. patronizing
d. denial
Answer: B
5
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 160
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
18. When people receive bad news—perhaps that they did not get a dream job they applied and interviewed for—
what tends to happen?
a. People usually feel worse than they expect they were going to.
b. People tend to feel about as bad as they thought they would.
c. People realize they really weren’t qualified for the job anyway.
d. People usually put a spin on the news that makes them feel better.
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
19. The authors of your text explain that people tend to overestimate how bad they will feel if a negative event were
to happen to them. This tendency is called
a. the rationalization trap.
b. cognitive dissonance.
c. self-affirmation.
d. the impact bias.
Answer: D
Difficulty: 1
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
20. Rudy thinks that if he ever got kicked off the football team he would be depressed for months, and that his life
would lose all meaning. In actuality, his response would probably not be this severe or prolonged. What is Rudy
demonstrating?
a. the impact bias
b. self-affirmation
c. lowballing
d. effort justification
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
21. People tend to fall subject to the impact bias (and not understand that they will usually successfully reduce
cognitive dissonance) because reducing cognitive dissonance is
a. a painful process.
b. controlled and conscious.
c. largely unconscious.
d. quick and effortful.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
6
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
22. Because dissonance reduction processes are mostly unconscious, people
a. tend to use them as coping strategies.
b. often will overestimate how badly negative feedback may affect them.
c. usually will put a lot of effort into reducing cognitive dissonance.
d. must change their behaviors, not their thoughts, to reduce feelings of dissonance.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
23. Jay just found out that he was not accepted into his dream college. Based on information from the authors of
your text about impact bias, which of the following best reflects how Jay will react?
a. He will become severely depressed.
b. He will not go to college at all unless he can get admitted into his dream school.
c. He will get over it rather quickly.
d. It actually will not bother him in the least.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
24. Imagine you really enjoy lying out in the sun to get a deep, dark tan. If you heard arguments both for and
against tanning, you would probably remember ________ arguments for tanning, and ________ arguments
against tanning.
a. long; short
b. short; long
c. plausible; implausible
d. implausible; plausible
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
25. Who would be LEAST likely to remember sound and well-founded arguments against smoking?
a. a person who has finally quit smoking after repeated attempts
b. a person who keeps trying to quit smoking without success
c. a person who has no desire to quit smoking
d. a person who has never smoked
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 161
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
26. In a classic experiment, researchers (Aronson & Mettee, 1968) gave positive false feedback to some students,
negative false feedback to some students, and no feedback to others. They were interested in seeing whether a
boost to self-esteem would affect the likelihood of cheating. In this experiment, what is the independent
variable?
a. type of feedback
b. cheating
c. self-esteem
d. the students
7
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 162
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
27. In a classic experiment, researchers (Aronson & Mettee, 1968) gave positive false feedback to some students,
negative false feedback to some students, and no feedback to others. They were interested in seeing how self-
esteem would affect the likelihood of cheating. What was the result of their experiment?
a. Students who had gotten the positive feedback were least likely to cheat.
b. Students who had gotten the negative feedback were least likely to cheat.
c. Students who had gotten no feedback were least likely to cheat.
d. Students who had gotten the negative and no feedback were least likely to cheat.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 162
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
28. In a classic experiment, researchers (Aronson & Mettee, 1968) gave positive false feedback to some students,
negative false feedback to some students, and no feedback to others. They were interested in seeing how self-
esteem would affect the likelihood of cheating. What was the result of their experiment?
a. Students who had gotten the positive feedback were most likely to cheat.
b. Students who had gotten the negative feedback were most likely to cheat.
c. Students who had gotten no feedback were least most to cheat.
d. Students who had gotten the negative and no feedback were most likely to cheat.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 162
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
29. Misaki feels terrible after just failing an exam in Spanish class. Now, in chemistry class, her lab partner just left
the answers to the homework open on her desk while she steps into the hall to take a phone call. How is Misaki
likely to behave?
a. She’s likely to look at the answers and copy them down for herself.
b. She’s likely to look away from the answers and do her own work.
c. She’s likely to point out one of her partner’s math mistakes.
d. She’s likely to tell the instructor that the answers are available.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 162
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
30. Social psychologists had African American students do carefully constructed self-affirming writing assignments
regarding their good qualities outside of school. If this approach was to work for you with a group of students
who were in danger of being academically dismissed, how would it affect them?
a. They would have higher self-esteem but no improvement to academic performance.
b. They would have higher self-esteem and improvement in their academic performance.
c. They would have lower self-esteem but no improvement to academic performance.
d. They would have lower self-esteem and improvement in their academic performance.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 163
8
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
31. Social psychologists had African American students do carefully constructed self-affirming writing assignments
regarding their good qualities outside of school. This type of self-affirmation will not be effective in bolstering
self-esteem unless
a. it is overly inflated.
b. it is overly positive and untrue.
c. it is overly negative and untrue.
d. it is realistic.
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 163
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
32. All of the following processes EXCEPT ________ are motivated by the need to preserve or maintain self-
esteem.
a. changing one’s attitude in the direction of one’s behavior
b. distancing oneself from a close other who outdoes one in a domain one cares about
c. making upward social comparisons
d. blaming the victim
Answer: C
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 162–163
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
34. According to the authors of your text, after carefully making a decision, what is likely to happen?
a. You will focus on the negative aspects of the choice you made.
b. You will experience dissonance for several days.
c. You will start to think more and more about the good qualities of your decision.
d. You will begin to regret all the time you put into making your decision.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 163–164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
35. According to the authors, every time we make a decision, we experience some amount of dissonance. Why?
a. After people invest effort, they are motivated to second-guess themselves.
b. The rejected alternative is seldom completely positive.
c. The chosen alternative is seldom completely positive.
9
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
d. People seldom seek out objective information before decision-making.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 163–164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
36. ________ refers to the dissonance aroused after we have chosen between two or more alternatives.
a. Justification of effort
b. Postdecision dissonance
c. Insufficient justification
d. Decisional regret
Answer: B
Difficulty: 1
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
37. Chloe debated for a long time about whether to take a psychology or a sociology course, both of which looked
interesting. She finally chose the psychology course. Now, because she is experiencing ________, she raves
about the psychology course to her friends.
a. insufficient justification
b. postdecision dissonance
c. a justification of effort
d. a threat to self-evaluation maintenance
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
38. Ying just purchased a rather expensive wristwatch. She had debated for weeks about the merits of two different
styles before making her final decision. It’s now likely that Ying will
a. continue to check the newspaper to monitor sales for the watch she opted not to buy.
b. emphasize all of the positive aspects of the chosen watch.
c. wish that she purchased the other watch.
d. return the chosen watch and exchange it for the other watch.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
39. Someone reminds you to be appropriately grateful for the gifts you receive. Were a dissonance theorist to
remind you to be thankful, he or she would be giving you advice on how to
a. avoid cognitive dissonance.
b. avoid things that might be costly.
c. prevent consonance in your cognitions.
d. prevent insufficient justification.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
10
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
40. Recall that Brehm (1956) asked women to rate the desirability of a number of appliances and then allowed them
to choose one of those appliances as a gift. Twenty minutes later, all women re-rated the same appliances,
including the one they chose. Women tended to rate the alternatives they rejected lower than they had
originally, and to rate their chosen appliance more positively. These results suggest that people
a. seldom collect enough information before making decisions.
b. reduce dissonance by overestimating differences between chosen and unchosen alternatives.
c. are more likely to experience cognitive dissonance when decisions are irrevocable.
d. experience more dissonance when their decisions implicate their self-concepts as rational and reasonable.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
41. Recall that Brehm (1956) asked women to rate the desirability of a number of appliances, and then allowed
them to choose one of those appliances as a gift. Twenty minutes later, all women re-rated the same appliances,
including the one they chose. According to his findings, which of the following (fictitious) participants would
rate the toaster lower than she had originally?
a. June, who chose the waffle iron instead
b. Donna, who felt pressured to select the iron
c. Maude, who rated the toaster lowest at the outset
d. Edith, who loves toast and jelly, and chose the toaster
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
42. Maria is on a limited budget, and can only afford one album. She really likes two in particular: Frank Sinatra’s
Greatest Hits and the soundtrack from the musical Wicked. When she gets to listen to the Frank Sinatra album,
she cannot imagine why she ever considered the Wicked album. This is because
a. Maria has to justify buying an album, given her limited budget.
b. Frank Sinatra music reminds Maria of her childhood.
c. Maria was motivated to reduce her postdecision dissonance.
d. Maria wasn’t sure about the online store’s return policy.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
44. Anita spent two months trying to decide whether to buy a PC or a Mac. She finally decided on a Mac. Now,
Anita most likely
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Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
a. wishes she’d bought the PC.
b. is certain she made the right decision.
c. still thinks PCs and Macs are equally good computers.
d. tries to convince all her friends to buy PCs.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
45. After reducing postdecision dissonance, people are more likely to rate the chosen and unchosen alternatives as
a. being very similar, with about equal strengths and weaknesses.
b. having an equal number of strengths, but the chosen alternative as having fewer weaknesses.
c. being more dissimilar, such that the chosen alternative is much more desirable than the unchosen one.
d. being similar in terms of weaknesses, but the chosen alternative has more strengths.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
46. In general, the more ________ a decision between alternatives, the ________ the postdecision dissonance.
a. permanent; greater
b. revocable; greater
c. trivial; greater
d. free; less
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
47. All things being equal, it would generate the most dissonance to decide which of two
a. classes to take.
b. computers to buy.
c. apartments to rent.
d. people to marry.
Answer: D
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
48. Researchers (Knox & Inkster, 1968) visited a race track and interviewed people betting on the horses, both
before and after they had placed their bets. They found that people who ________ were more confident in their
betting decisions because ________.
a. had already placed their bets; their bets changed the odds
b. had already placed their bets; they couldn’t change their minds
c. had placed small, two-dollar bets; they stood to lose less
d. were waiting to place large bets; they reported more experience
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
12
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
49. People who had already placed their two-dollar bets were more confident than people who were waiting in line
to place their bets (Knox & Inkster, 1968). These findings suggest that decisions that are _______ generate
more cognitive dissonance than decisions that are not.
a. important
b. coerced
c. irrevocable
d. trivial
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
50. After filing your ballot for an election, you are more convinced than you were before filing the ballot that you
voted for the best candidate. This example illustrates the idea that when decisions are _______, individuals
engage in a greater amount of dissonance reduction.
a. imminent
b. ambiguous
c. irrevocable
d. simple
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
51. The Pattersons bought their TV from a store with a thirty-day return policy, and the Stevensons bought the
same TV from a different store with a policy that “All Sales Are Final!” Based on what the text reports about
cognitive dissonance, which family is more likely to be satisfied with their TV?
a. the Pattersons
b. the Stevensons
c. they will be equally happy
d. the Pattersons, but only if they paid less than the Stevensons
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164–165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
52. According to research presented in the text, students shot a roll of film and printed two photographs. Some were
told that they could exchange the one they chose to keep within five days, but others were told that their choice
was final. Which group of students liked their photograph best?
a. Those who were given the exchange period, because in the U.S., students value choice.
b. Those who were not given an exchange period, because the decision was irrevocable.
c. They both liked their photos equally well.
d. Those who could exchange the photo, because they could copy the first, then get the second as well.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 164–165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
53. According to research presented in the text, students shot a roll of film and printed two photographs. Some were
13
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
told that they could exchange the one they chose to keep within five days, but others were told that their choice
was final. What was the independent variable of this experiment?
a. condition: choice or no choice
b. condition: photograph 1 or photograph 2
c. how much they liked the photos
d. the five-day exchange period
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164–165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
54. According to research presented in the text, students shot a roll of film and printed two photographs. Some were
told that they could exchange the one they chose to keep within five days, but others were told that their choice
was final. What was the dependent variable of this experiment?
a. condition: choice or no choice
b. condition: photograph 1 or photograph 2
c. how much they liked the photos
d. the five day exchange period
Answer: C
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164–165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
55. People generally ________ think they would like to be able to easily change a decision they’ve made; however,
the research on cognitive dissonance suggests that people actually are ________ with their choice when a
decision is more permanent.
a. do; happier
b. do; not as happy
c. do not; happier
d. do not; not as happy
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
56. Of the four people presented below, which one would feel the LEAST regret about altering her appearance,
based on information in your text about cognitive dissonance?
a. Cheryl, who just got a tattoo
b. Lisa, who is wearing a new outfit
c. Misty, who just got her nails painted
d. Darlene, who is wearing a new shade of lipstick
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 164–165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
57. The term ________ refers to a practice whereby a salesperson initially accepts a customer’s offer, but then
claims an error and quotes the customer a higher price.
a. horse-trading
b. bait-and-switch
c. lowballing
14
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
d. highrolling
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
58. Carla has just written out a check for $18,999 to pay for her new car. Although the salesperson had initially
accepted her check, she is now told that there was a mistake and that the final total should really be $19,250.
Carla writes another check to cover the difference so that she can drive out with her new car. Carla has just
fallen prey to a questionable sales practice called
a. “lowballing.”
b. “bait-and-switch.”
c. the “dissonance game.”
d. “keep ‘em guessing.”
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
59. Petar and Nikolas love the house that they just toured. It is a short sale for $180,000, which is a great price.
They are very excited and want to put in an offer. After they begin the paperwork, their realtor tells them that
the price does not include the fixtures or the appliances. Those will likely cost an extra $20,000. What tactic is
the realtor using?
a. lowballing
b. bait and switch
c. intrinsic motivation
d. priming
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
60. When unscrupulous salespeople use lowballing as a means of selling cars, they take advantage of buyers’
illusions that their decision to buy a particular car was
a. freely chosen.
b. irrevocable.
c. easy to make.
d. coerced.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
62. Lisa is a car salesperson. She has just gotten you to agree to a deal on a new car and to write out a check for the
down payment. She takes this to her manager and comes back a while later saying that, because of taxes and
fees, the price of the car will actually come out to $600 over what you agreed upon. According to the research
on lowballing, which of the following is most likely to occur?
a. You would decide to buy the car anyway because you realize the decision is reversible.
b. You would decide to buy the car only if you are not excited by the anticipation of the event.
c. You would decide to buy the car anyway because there is an illusion of irrevocability (i.e., you don’t feel
that you can reverse your decision).
d. You would not buy the car because salespeople are generally ineffective at persuading buyers to do what
they want.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 165
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
63. The authors of your text report that lowballing works as a persuasion technique for three reasons. Which of the
following is NOT one of those reasons?
a. The customer feels committed to his or her decision.
b. The customer likes the salesperson.
c. The customer is excited about his or her purchase.
d. The customer probably wouldn’t get that much better of a deal elsewhere.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 166
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
64. Mariah has had a hard semester, and her grades have suffered. She really needs a good grade in psychology to
get off academic probation and stay in school. On the next psychology exam, Mariah is sorely tempted to cheat,
but she decides not to. Which of the following pairs of cognitions best reflects the source of any dissonance
Mariah might experience while deciding not to cheat?
a. “My school life could be over”; “I just gave up a chance to help myself.”
b. “I’m basically a decent, honest person”; “These exam questions are ambiguous and tricky.”
c. “I’m a basically an honest person”; “I’ve never seen any of my friends cheat.”
d. “So much is riding on this exam”; “I just know that if I try it, I’ll get caught.”
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 166
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
65. Imagine that before a test, the professor told Jake that if he is caught cheating, he will be expelled. Imagine that
the professor told Amanda that, if caught cheating, her only punishment will be to write a short paper about
why cheating is wrong. If both students don’t cheat, what would dissonance theory predict?
a. Amanda will feel more honest than Jake will.
b. Jake will feel more honest than Amanda will.
c. Amanda and Jake will each feel as honest as the other.
d. Neither Jake nor Amanda will feel honest because they were both threatened.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 3
16
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Page(s) in Text: 166
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
66. According to results of dissonance studies, who is more likely to believe that lying is truly a heinous,
unconscionable, and unforgivable act?
a. Mark, who was tempted to lie, but told the truth instead
b. Dan, who has always told the truth
c. Bill, who lies quite often
d. Julius, who knew he should tell the truth, but lied instead
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 166–167
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
67. Your text describes several situations in which a person may decide to behave immorally, a behavior which is
likely to arouse a fair amount of cognitive dissonance. How are people most likely to reduce this dissonance
stemming from an immoral act such as lying or cheating?
a. change the behavior and act morally
b. add cognitions
c. change their attitude about the immoral behavior
d. bolster their decision through downward social comparison
Answer: C
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 167–168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
68. Lisa and Marcie have a really tough exam in anthropology. Both women are considering cheating on the exam.
Based on what you read about cognitive dissonance, Lisa, who ________, is likely to later report that all
cheaters should be punished severely, and Marcie, who ________, is likely to report that cheating really is no
big deal because there are no victims.
a. cheated; did not cheat
b. cheated; cheated
c. did not cheat; cheated
d. did not cheat; did not cheat
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 167–168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
69. According to the authors of your text, when people are tempted to behave immorally and they choose to be
either moral or immoral in that situation, how do they justify their actions?
a. They actually change their attitudes to concur with their actions.
b. They merely rationalize their actions, and retain their attitudes.
c. They add cognitions to reduce the dissonance.
d. They become less satisfied with their behaviors.
Answer: A
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 167–168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
17
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
70. Mills (1958) had elementary school children compete for attractive prizes. The children could cheat to win the
prizes, but they didn’t know that the experimenter would be assured of detecting the cheaters. Some children
cheated, and others did not. The next day,
a. none of the students endorsed cheating as acceptable.
b. those who had cheated earlier became more lenient in their attitudes about cheating.
c. those who didn’t cheat earlier became more lenient in their attitudes about cheating.
d. when they were offered a large inducement to cheat, most students cheated.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 167
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
71. Based on information from the authors of your text about cognitive dissonance and immoral behavior, which of
the following people would be most likely to condone having an extramarital affair?
a. Sarah, who is not married
b. Jessie, who cheated on her husband long ago, but didn’t get caught
c. Laura, who is faithful to her husband
d. any of these
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 167
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
72. The authors of your text present a study in which monkeys were given a choice between different colors of
M&Ms—later, their preference for different colors of M&Ms was reassessed. The researchers found that the
monkeys
a. couldn’t remember what they picked.
b. selected colors only at random.
c. showed postdecision dissonance.
d. couldn’t see the colors.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
73. The authors of your text present a study in which monkeys were given a choice between different colors of
M&Ms—later, their preference for different colors of M&Ms was reassessed. The researchers found that the
monkeys
a. later preferred the choice they had originally disliked.
b. reduced their liking for the colors of M&Ms they hadn’t chosen.
c. reduced their liking for the colors of M&Ms they had chosen.
d. only experienced dissonance when they had observed it in other monkeys.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
74. Researchers have found evidence of cognitive dissonance in the form of postdecision dissonance in which of
the following animals?
a. dolphins
18
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
b. cheetahs
c. monkeys
d. domestic housecats
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
75. The fact that there is research demonstrating that other animals experience dissonance—and that it has a
biological basis—suggests that cognitive dissonance may have (in part) a(n) ________ explanation.
a. cultural
b. personality
c. ethnographic
d. evolutionary
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
76. Research in which participants’ brains were scanned with MRIs while doing a dissonance-producing task
showed that when people encounter dissonance, the ________ areas of the brain decrease in activity, and when
dissonance is resolved, the ________ areas of the brain “light up.”
a. emotion; reasoning
b. reasoning; memory
c. memory; emotion
d. reasoning; emotion
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
77. Research using MRIs suggests that when people experience cognitive dissonance, they
a. rely heavily on reason and logic.
b. repress the memory of such events.
c. do not rely on reason much at all.
d. experience anger and fear.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
78. A recent MRI study revealed that when participants successfully reduced and resolved their cognitive
dissonance, they experienced
a. a surge of activity in the reasoning areas of the brain.
b. a reduced capacity in the motor areas of the brain.
c. pleasurable emotions.
d. an increase in activation of the rear hemisphere.
Answer: C
Difficulty: 3
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
19
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
79. Based on MRI research on people who were experiencing and later resolved cognitive dissonance, what would
you expect to happen to Mary, who just reduced her dissonant feelings about visiting the tanning salon by
telling herself that she isn’t genetically predisposed to skin cancer, so it won’t affect her?
a. She will next experience nervousness.
b. She will experience pleasant feelings.
c. She will be able think critically about other things.
d. She will be unable to encode new memories for up to ten minutes.
Answer: B
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: APPLICATION
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
80. A number of researchers have found that people from ________ cultures are less likely to engage in obvious
attempts to reduce cognitive dissonance.
a. industrialized
b. independent
c. primitive
d. interdependent
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: FACTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
81. Yuriko, a Japanese student, and Jill, an American student, have both participated in an experiment in which
they have been asked—and agreed—to write a counterattitudinal essay. According to findings on dissonance
reduction across cultures by Sakai (1999), who is more likely to engage in dissonance reduction?
a. Yuriko
b. Jill
c. both Yuriko and Jill
d. neither Yuriko nor Jill
Answer: C
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
82. A Japanese psychologist by the name of Sakai observed participants partaking in dissonance-reducing
behaviors. Sakai also had a fellow group member of the participants observe the dissonance-reducing behavior.
The observer then indicated how enjoyable he or she thought a boring task was. Results indicated that the
observers experienced
a. no dissonance and no dissonance reduction.
b. strong dissonance.
c. no dissonance reduction.
d. a similar level of dissonance reduction as the participant.
Answer: D
Difficulty: 2
Page(s) in Text: 168
Topic: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Skill: CONCEPTUAL
LO 6.1 What is cognitive dissonance, and how do people avoid dissonance to maintain a positive self-image?
20
Copyright © 2016, 2013, 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
The Project Gutenberg eBook of L'hostal de la
Bolla
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States
and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no
restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it
under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
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Title: L'hostal de la Bolla
Costums i llenguatge vulgar de Mallorca
Language: Catalan
1903
—Vaig néixer artista… Sí, senyor, vaig fer tots els estudis de
vocalisació am l’Uetam. Ah, si no hagués tengut sa desgracia des cop
d’aire, qui m’engolà sa veu!… Jo le hi jur: ara no tendria es gust de
poder-lo servir… I quan es sino l persegueix a un… Es trist això de
trobar-se esclau, fermat com es ca a sa cadena, a una professió
perduda, com sa nostra… Perduda, sí, senyor; perquè, per molt que
sia professió lliberal, què se fa avui?… No res: taiar els cabeis al rape,
feina de segador; a lo més, deixar botxes a quatre infladors
d’escorxador, a quatre ordinaris, qui volen pan i toros… Però, trabais
de fantasia? Ni una mica de gracia ni una mica de deseo veurà en els
pentinats: tot-hom com un quinto.
El tiralinies i el béc de grua han passat una i altra vegada per aquells
voltants, però no han pogut esborrar la fesomia del paratge… Es com
una d’aquelles escriptures primitives que, per molt que hi grati l
raspador, surten damunt lo que s’hi ha volgut escriure de bell nou.
Tal era la brinada que duien, desde l’antiguea, aquells carrers coberts
de doble filera de voltes i soportals, entrecreuats de carreronets per
on podria passar de travers una persona de mitges carns; aquelles
botigues am soterrani i reixats de ferro; aquells munts de cordes, de
llenderes, de senalles, d’esportins, d’estormies, de sarrions, de
graneretes i tota casta d’obra de pauma.
Sense anar més lluny, aquell dissabte, que havia arribat vapor de
Barcelona, tingueren renovellada. Quan tornà del Moll en Xerafí,
moço i ganxo de la casa, duia amb ell un turc, i amb el turc un onso
subjecte per una anella passada an el nas; i endemés, havia donat la
direcció a un personatge destinat a fer molt de renou dins la gran
ciutat de Palma: metge, herbolari, “home de ciencia”, qui fins i tot
duia un parell de bauls d’equipatge, am cantoneres de llautó; i que
havia pres un carril per ell tot sol.
Duia aquest senyor trona lluenta; tenia les celles un poc afegides,
molt negres, i les patilles negres també, com de trabucaire. Vestia
guarda-pits escotats am gran cadena. Tenia sobretodo. Quan devallà
a l’Hostal, n’Armando, qui encara estava dret damunt el portal de la
barberia, no pogué contenir un gesto d’admiració. Li pareixia mucho
hombre, aquél. Ja conegué, amb el cop de vista que tenia, que allò
era un home de qui fa fer. Entre sí mateix, n’Armando deia: —Els
diaris en parlaran. —I quedà naturalment curiós i esperant el
moment de que anés a la barberia pera servirse, a fi de poder-ne
treure claricia… Per ell, per n’Armando, tenien un prestigi superior
aquestes figures qui desiara se presenten havent trescat món i
corregut terres… Com anyorava, ell, l’espai que no coneixia, la vida
que no havia tastat, la llibertat andoiadora del qui vaivereja sempre
seguit!