You just got a new job. For training, you will be working out of the New York City office. You have never been to New York City before now. You must ride the subway to get to and from your hotel. On a particular night, you get out of the office after dark. You approach the subway on your way back to the hotel. Upon entry to the train, you notice that you have several seating options. You choose to sit next to a well-dressed older man. In your mind, personalize this scenario by imagining the other people who might have also been on the subway, your own attitudes and background, and why you may have made the decision to sit next to this particular person.

Discuss the attributions that may have played a role in your choice of seating.

• How do our attitudes, perceptions, and experiences affect our actions?
• Discuss where our attitudes towards people or situations, come from.
• Define and discuss cognitive dissonance.
• Address cognitive dissonance theory in relation to the above scenario. How do our behaviors impact our attitudes?