An experimenter offers a very small reward to some subjects if they will write an essay in favor of a position that the experimenter knows the subjects oppose. Later the subjects are asked for their current beliefs on that topic. Which theory is the experimenter probably testing?

A) cognitive dissonance theory
B) opponent-process theory of emotions
C) learned-helplessness theory
D) depth-of-processing theory

Cognitive Dissonance Theory

A theory suggesting that we experience discomfort (dissonance) when our thoughts, beliefs, or behaviors are inconsistent with each other, leading to a change in one to reduce the dissonance.

Opponent-Process Theory

A psychological and neurological model that describes how opposing emotions balance out over time, influencing feelings and behaviors.

Depth-Of-Processing Theory

This theory posits that the depth (shallow to deep) of mental processing affects long-term memory retention; deeper levels of analysis produce more durable memory traces.