Why Did Participants in an Experiment Conducted by Berscheid and Her

Multiple Choice

Why did participants in an experiment conducted by Berscheid and her colleagues (1968) derogate their victims when they thought they would switch roles with the victims and receive shocks themselves? In this case, participants __________.

A) reasoned that the victim would have a chance to even the score
B) believed they needed to justify their cruel behaviors
C) experienced maximal dissonance and convinced themselves that the victim deserved it
D) chose to become a victim too, in order to make the situation fairer