What concept explains that people may modify their attitudes to align with their behaviors?

The concept that explains how people may modify their attitudes to align with their behaviors is cognitive dissonance. This psychological phenomenon occurs when individuals experience mental discomfort or tension arising from holding conflicting beliefs or when their behavior contradicts their attitudes. To alleviate this discomfort, individuals often adjust their attitudes to create harmony with their behaviors. For example, if someone participates in an activity that they initially believed was unimportant or undesirable, they might start to view it more favorably after engaging in it, thus reducing the dissonance between their behavior and beliefs.

Justification of effort refers to the tendency of individuals to attribute greater value to outcomes they have put significant effort into achieving. While this concept also involves attitude adjustments, it specifically relates to the value placed on the effort, rather than the conflict between beliefs and behaviors.

Social conformity involves changing one’s behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs to align with those of a group, but it does not specifically address the internal conflict between personal beliefs and actions.

Behavioral reinforcement pertains to the process by which certain behaviors are encouraged or discouraged through rewards or punishments. This concept focuses on the consequences of actions rather than the internal adjustments of attitudes in response to conflicting behaviors.