In the Festinger and Carlsmith study, what was observed among participants who were paid $1?

In the Festinger and Carlsmith study, participants who were paid $1 for their participation in a boring task displayed a significant level of enjoyment from the task compared to those paid more. This phenomenon can be attributed to cognitive dissonance theory, which suggests that when individuals experience a mismatch between their beliefs (the task was boring) and their actions (they were willing to perform the task for a minimal amount), they are motivated to reduce that dissonance.

Participants who received only $1 felt compelled to justify their participation despite the low payment. They resolved this dissonance by convincing themselves that the task was actually enjoyable or interesting, thus leading to a more favorable attitude toward the task. As a result, they reported higher levels of enjoyment. This reaction underscores how insufficient justification can lead to a change in perceptions or attitudes about a task or situation.