Cognitive dissonance can lead to which type of behavior?

Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual experiences psychological discomfort due to holding conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes, especially when their behavior contradicts these beliefs. To resolve this discomfort, individuals often engage in rationalization, which involves adjusting their beliefs or attitudes to align with their actions or justifying their behaviors. This is a coping mechanism that helps to restore harmony to their cognitive processes.

When faced with dissonance, a person might change their perception of their actions, downplay the importance of conflicting information, or find justifications for their choices. For instance, if someone who values health regularly eats junk food, they might rationalize their behavior by convincing themselves that it's not that bad or that they’ll work out later to compensate. This behavior is a direct response to the psychological tension created by cognitive dissonance, making rationalization a common outcome in such situations.

In contrast, the other options do not align as closely with the typical responses to cognitive dissonance. Increased collaboration and isolation from others would not specifically address the internal conflict faced during cognitive dissonance, and while there might be some indirect links between certain behaviors and physical health improvements, these results are not a direct consequence of the cognitive dissonance process.