When external inducements are insufficient to justify our behavior, we reduce dissonance by justifying the behavior internally. Which of the following theories explains this insufficient justification effect?

A. self-perception
B. self-presentation
C. role-playing
D. cognitive dissonance
D. cognitive dissonance

cognitive dissonance      

Explanation:

Cognitive dissonance asserts that to reduce discomfort when external inducements are insufficient to justify our behavior, we justify our our behavior or actions to ourselves. It refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviors which produces a feeling of mental discomfort leading to an alteration in one of the attitudes, beliefs or behaviors to reduce the discomfort and restore balance.

answer; decipher the motives for why people behave the way they do;