Although marketers have long been interested in the theory of cognitive dissonance, we found evidence that it may have been misused in marketing practices. This is due to a lack of interest for the way inconsistent consumers are perceived. Our findings suggest that a consumer that changes her attitude in favor of a product will be seen as lacking competence. This is especially true if the inconsistent consumer is an in-group member. Our study implies that marketers should use a spokesperson that is seen as an in-group member and that is behaving in a consistent manner.
Herak, I., Kervyn de Meerendré, N., Kamiejski, R., & Martinie, M.-A. (2016). Different approach to the theory of cognitive dissonance: Perception of a dissonant consumer depending on her group belonging. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/179015