Cognitive Dissonance: Definition, Theory, & Examples

Hence, we frequently engage in mental acrobatics in response to cognitive dissonance to make things make sense again. The cognitive process includes thinking, attitude, personal value, behavior, remembering, knowing, judging, and problem-solving. It also includes all conscious processes such as language, imagination, perception, and planning. It is a theory with very broad applications, showing that we aim for consistency between attitudes and behaviors and may not use very rational methods to achieve it. It has the advantage of being testable by scientific means (i.e., experiments). In other words, he could tell himself that a short life filled with smoking and sensual pleasures is better than a long life devoid of such joys.

In others words, people sometimes cope with feelings of dissonance by surrounding themselves in “echo chambers” where their opinions are supported and validated by others. Cognitive dissonance theory postulates that an underlying psychological tension is created when an individual’s behavior is inconsistent with his or her thoughts and beliefs. This underlying tension then motivates an individual to make an attitude change that would cognitive dissonance theory produce consistency between thoughts and behaviors. This mechanism of thought or attitude change is the same mechanism used to produce changes in negative, irrational thoughts that are involved in the maintenance of depression and related disorders. In 1957, psychologist and teacher Leon Festinger pointed out that often, people hold two opposing beliefs, or they believe one thing but do something that’s against that belief.

1 Theories focusing on need for certainty, self-esteem, and social identity

When the desired “something” is very important, we may have dissonant cognitions that make us tense and unhappy. Technological advances are allowing psychologists to study the biomechanics of cognitive dissonance. When these self-guides are contradictory psychological distress results. People are motivated to reduce self-discrepancy (the gap between two self-guides).

The higher the dACC activation in this condition, the more favorable the participant’s attitudes were to the task and fMRI environment. One example of cognitive dissonance would be believing that bumper cars are immature and then riding in the bumper car with one’s younger sibling. Another example would be thinking that attending classes is useless but then showing up regularly. Each of these examples at least could involve discomfort from the tension between one’s beliefs and actions. Think about a time when you experienced cognitive dissonance in your own life.

Cognitive Dissonance Examples You May Experience Every Day

Whether you resolve feelings of cognitive dissonance may depend on influences from work and family, your goals, or your identity. Cognitive dissonance is a term that describes the mental discomfort that results when we hold two beliefs or values that are incompatible with each other. This inconsistency between what we think and how we behave can cause feelings of unease. He suggested that people have an inner need to ensure that their beliefs and behaviors are consistent.

Among them are how highly a particular belief is valued and the degree to which the beliefs are inconsistent. Cognitive dissonance can be caused by feeling forced to do something, learning new information, or when faced with a decision between two similar choices. Sometimes https://ecosoberhouse.com/ you might find yourself engaging in behaviors that are opposed to your own beliefs due to external expectations at work, school, or in a social situation. Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals.

Balance theory

At a hippodrome, bettors had more confidence in their horses after the betting than before. Between November 2015 and March 2016, a study by Xitou Nature Education Area in Taiwan examined littering of tourists. Researchers analyzed the relationships between tourists’ environmental attitudes, cognitive dissonance, and vandalism. In this study, 500 questionnaires were distributed and 499 questionnaires were returned. The results of this study indicate that older tourists had better attitudes towards the environment and cared more.

• By nature, then, we may be rationalizing beings, ready to justify what we have done after the fact.
• Dealing with cognitive dissonance can be as simple as eliminating the conflict that’s causing it.
• That is, you might not realize that you’ve changed your beliefs – you might think that you always liked the task.
• Yet, sometimes our actions don’t match our values and belief systems.

In some situations, a mental health professional can help you sort through your thoughts. Dealing with cognitive dissonance can be as simple as eliminating the conflict that’s causing it. When you make a choice that causes cognitive dissonance, a common response may be to view the option you’ve rejected differently by dismissing its importance.

Cognitive Dissonance in Marketing

Cognitive dissonance theory states that related thoughts or behaviors can be consonant or dissonant . Sometimes circumstance makes it challenging to align all of your actions with your ideals and core beliefs. Dr. Maike Neuhaus is an energetic and future-oriented Positive Psychology Coach and behavior change expert, passionate about empowering others to live a happy and purpose-driven life in line with their true potential. Cognitive dissonance theory itself suggests that if patients are investing time, money, and emotional effort in the therapy, they will be likely to work hard to reach their therapeutic goals in order to justify their efforts.