A Multilab Replication of the Induced-Compliance Paradigm of Cognitive Dissonance
Authors: Vaidis David C. , Sleegers Willem W. A. , van Leeuwen Florian , DeMarree Kenneth G. , Sætrevik Bjørn , Ross Robert M. , Schmidt Kathleen , Protzko John , Morvinski Coby , Ghasemi Omid , Roberts Andrew J. , Stone Jeff , Bran Alexandre , Gourdon-Kanhukamwe Amélie , Gunsoy Ceren , Moussaoui Lisa S. , Smith Andrew R. , Nugier Armelle , Fayant Marie-Pierre , Al-Hoorie Ali H. , Appiah Obed K. , Arbige Spencer , Aubert-Teillaud Benjamin , Bialobrzeska Olga , Bordel Stéphanie , Boudjemadi Valerian , Brohmer Hilmar , Cabooter Quinn , Chahir Mehdi , Chassang Ianis , Chatard Armand , Chou Yu Yang , Chung Sungeun , Cristea Mioara , Daga Joséphine , Depow Gregory J. , Desrichard Olivier , Dubrov Dmitrii , Evans Thomas R. , Falkowicz Séverine , Ferreira Sylvain , Figureau Tim , Fointiat Valérie , Friedrich Théo , Gashkova Anastasia , Girandola Fabien , Granjon Marine , Grigoryev Dmitry , Gunaydin Gul , Güzel Şevval , Hazrati Mahsa , Helmy Mai , Ikeda Ayumi , Inzlicht Michael , Jaubert Sara , Kasanov Dauren , Khoddami Mohammad Mohsen , Kim Taenyun , Kiyokawa Kiyoshi , Kodapanakkal Rabia I. , Kosachenko Alexandra , Maedge Kortney , Mahaney John H. , Martinie Marie-Amélie , Mascheretti Vitor N. , Matsuda Yoriko , Mauduy Maxime , Mauny Nicolas , Metzen Armand , Moreno-Bella Eva , Moya Miguel , Nadarajah Kévin , Nejat Pegah , Norman Elisabeth , Olcaysoy Okten Irmak , Özdoğru Asil A. , Ozer Ceyda , Padial-Rojas Elena , Pavlov Yuri G. , Perusquia-Hernandez Monica , Proost Dora , Rabinovitch Aleksandra , Rohmer Odile , Selcuk Emre , Sénémeaud Cécile , Shani Yaniv , Shmeleva Elena A. , Simoens Emmelie , Smith Kaitlin A. , Somat Alain , Song Hayeon , Sonmez Fatih , Souchet Lionel , Taylor John J. , van Beest Ilja , Van der Linden Nicolas , Verheyen Steven , Verschuere Bruno , Vezirian Kevin , Vieira Luc , Wiechert Sera , Willis Guillermo B. , Wollast Robin , Xia Ji , Yamada Yuki , Yoshimura Naoto , Priolo Daniel 
Published: February 2024

According to cognitive-dissonance theory, performing counterattitudinal behavior produces a state of dissonance that people are motivated to resolve, usually by changing their attitude to be in line with their behavior. One of the most popular experimental paradigms used to produce such attitude change is the induced-compliance paradigm. Despite its popularity, the replication crisis in social psychology and other fields, as well as methodological limitations associated with the paradigm, raise concerns about the robustness of classic studies in this literature. We therefore conducted a multilab constructive replication of the induced-compliance paradigm based on Croyle and Cooper (Experiment 1). In a total of 39 labs from 19 countries and 14 languages, participants ( N = 4,898) were assigned to one of three conditions: writing a counterattitudinal essay under high choice, writing a counterattitudinal essay under low choice, or writing a neutral essay under high choice. The primary analyses failed to support the core hypothesis: No significant difference in attitude was observed after writing a counterattitudinal essay under high choice compared with low choice. However, we did observe a significant difference in attitude after writing a counterattitudinal essay compared with writing a neutral essay. Secondary analyses revealed the pattern of results to be robust to data exclusions, lab variability, and attitude assessment. Additional exploratory analyses were conducted to test predictions from cognitive-dissonance theory. Overall, the results call into question whether the induced-compliance paradigm provides robust evidence for cognitive dissonance.