The origins of cognitive dissonance: Evidence from children and monkeys
Egan first author. Preschool children chose between two stickers and capuchin monkeys between two colours of sweet, in each case between options previously established as equally preferred. Both groups then preferred a novel option over the one they had rejected, but not in a control condition where they had not taken part in the first decision. The authors present this as the first evidence of decision rationalisation in children and non-human primates. No sample sizes are given.
Egan first author. Preschool children chose between two stickers and capuchin monkeys between two colours of sweet, in each case between options previously established as equally preferred. Both groups then preferred a novel option over the one they had rejected, but not in a control condition where they had not taken part in the first decision. The authors present this as the first evidence of decision rationalisation in children and non-human primates. No sample sizes are given.
Written from the abstract read 2026-10-18.
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Egan, L. C., Santos, L. R., & Bloom, P. (2007). The origins of cognitive dissonance: Evidence from children and monkeys. Psychological Science, 18(11), 978-983. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.02012.x.