Which theory posits that individuals are motivated to resolve inconsistencies between their behavior and attitudes?

Cognitive dissonance theory is centered on the concept that individuals experience psychological discomfort when there is a discrepancy between their beliefs or attitudes and their actions. This discomfort, known as cognitive dissonance, motivates individuals to either change their attitudes to align with their behavior, change their behavior to align with their attitudes, or find a justification for the inconsistency. The theory, developed by Leon Festinger in the 1950s, emphasizes the importance of internal consistency in a person's psychological well-being.

This theory is particularly relevant in situations where individuals may engage in behaviors that contradict their values or beliefs, leading them to seek resolution to alleviate their discomfort. The motivation to resolve these inconsistencies can manifest in various ways, such as changing beliefs about a particular action, seeking new information that supports their behavior, or rationalizing the behavior to reduce the conflict.

In contrast, attribution theory focuses on how individuals attribute causes to their own and others’ behaviors, acknowledging different dimensions like internal versus external attributions. Social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura, emphasizes the role of observation and modeling in learning behaviors, while behaviorism centers on the idea that all behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment, discounting internal motivations or thoughts.