The role of dissonance, social comparison, and marital status in thinking about divorce

Abstract

Using a cognitive dissonance framework, this research tried to identify predictors of openness toward divorce and trivialization of wedding vows. Using single undergraduates, Study 1 showed that those reminded of traditional (divorce-inconsistent) wedding vows reported less openness toward divorce than those not reminded (possibly indicative of dissonance-induced attitude change). Study 1 also showed that those who received social-comparison (divorce-rate) information were more likely to trivialize the vows than those who did not receive such information. Study 2 showed that marital status moderated these two primary effects: married individuals showed a stronger vow-reminder effect than divorced individuals, and divorced individuals showed a stronger social-comparison effect. Study 2 also demonstrated pluralistic ignorance in that participants took divorce more seriously than they thought “other people” did. Other results, implications, and counseling applications are discussed.