Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values, leading individuals to try and reduce this discomfort by changing their beliefs, justifying their actions, or avoiding contradictory information.
Definition:
Cognitive dissonance, a concept developed by Leon Festinger in the 1950s, refers to the mental conflict that arises when a person's beliefs or actions are inconsistent with each other.
Causes:
This discomfort can arise from various situations, such as:
Belief Disconfirmation: When new information contradicts a previously held belief.
Induced Compliance: Being compelled to act in a way that conflicts with one's beliefs.
Making a decision: When presented with multiple options or information.
Consequences:
To alleviate the discomfort of dissonance, individuals may:
Change their beliefs: Adjust their attitudes or values to align with their actions.
Rationalize their actions: Find justifications or explanations to make their behavior seem consistent with their beliefs.
Avoid contradictory information: Seek out information that supports their existing beliefs and avoid information that challenges them.
Examples:
Someone who votes for a politician but later learns the politician has made statements that contradict their own values might try to find reasons to still support the politician or change their beliefs.
A person who believes smoking is bad but continues to smoke might try to justify their behavior by saying it helps them relax or that everyone else is doing it.
Selective Exposure:
Individuals experiencing cognitive dissonance may selectively seek out or attend to information that supports their existing beliefs or attitudes while avoiding contradictory information.
Emotional Impact:
Cognitive dissonance can lead to feelings of stress, guilt, tension, shame, anxiety, or regret.
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