Which bias describes the tendency to stay aligned with past choices to avoid cognitive dissonance?

Which bias describes the tendency to stay aligned with past choices to avoid cognitive dissonance?

• A. Sunk cost
• B. Status quo bias
• C. Irrational continuation
• D. Commitment bias

Answer: (D)

When people want to feel consistent with what they’ve already decided or promised, they keep going along with those past choices to avoid the discomfort of conflicting beliefs and actions. This tendency is commitment bias. It explains why someone might defend a policy they once supported or continue pursuing a plan they started, mainly to avoid admitting they were wrong or changing their self-image. Sunk cost bias is about continuing because you’ve already invested resources, and status quo bias is about preferring things to stay as they are; neither centers on the specific pull to remain aligned with prior commitments to dodge cognitive dissonance the way commitment bias does.

When people want to feel consistent with what they’ve already decided or promised, they keep going along with those past choices to avoid the discomfort of conflicting beliefs and actions. This tendency is commitment bias. It explains why someone might defend a policy they once supported or continue pursuing a plan they started, mainly to avoid admitting they were wrong or changing their self-image. Sunk cost bias is about continuing because you’ve already invested resources, and status quo bias is about preferring things to stay as they are; neither centers on the specific pull to remain aligned with prior commitments to dodge cognitive dissonance the way commitment bias does.