In the text, it was important for "they" to be true to themselves because the researchers wanted to understand how expressing one's beliefs during a disagreement affects our bodies. The researchers conducted an experiment where college students had to express their individual beliefs about a topic to peers who disagreed with them. By being true to themselves, the students were able to participate in the debate authentically, which allowed the researchers to study their reactions.
Being true to oneself in this context means expressing personal beliefs even when it's challenging or uncomfortable. This authenticity helps researchers observe how individuals react to conflict and how it impacts their bodies. Therefore, it was essential for the students to stay true to themselves during the experiment to provide valuable data for the researchers to analyze and draw conclusions from.