Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSignsExamplesCausesInfluencesHow It FeelsImpactDealing WithPotential PitfallsHistory
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs
Examples
Causes
Influences
How It Feels
Impact
Dealing With
Potential Pitfalls
History
Close
Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. People tend to seek consistency in theirattitudesandperceptions, so this conflict causes unpleasant feelings of unease or discomfort.
Signs of Cognitive Dissonance
Everyone experiences cognitive dissonance to some degree but that doesn’t mean that it is always easy to recognize. Some signs that what you are feeling might be related to dissonance include:
Examples of Cognitive Dissonance
What does this inconsistency-related discomfort look like in everyday life? Here are just a few cognitive dissonance examples that you may notice in your own:
Several television shows and movies contain characters experiencing cognitive dissonance. Examples to consider include:Mean GirlsFriendsThe Truman ShowIrresistibleStand By Me
Several television shows and movies contain characters experiencing cognitive dissonance. Examples to consider include:
Causes of Cognitive Dissonance
There are a number of different situations that can create conflicts that lead to cognitive dissonance.
Forced Compliance
Sometimes 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.This might involve going along with something due topeer pressureor doing something at work to avoid getting fired.
New Information
Decisions
People make decisions, both large and small, on a daily basis. When faced with two similar choices, we are often left with feelings of dissonance because both options are equally appealing.
Recap
What Influences Cognitive Dissonance?
The degree of dissonance experienced can depend on a few different factors. Among them are how highly a particular belief is valued and the degree to which the beliefs are inconsistent.
Cognitive dissonance can often have a powerful influence on our behaviors and actions. It doesn’t just influence how you feel; it also motivates you to take action to reduce feelings of discomfort.
How Cognitive Dissonance Feels
Cognitive dissonance can make people feel uneasy and uncomfortable. This is particularly true if the disparity between their beliefs and behaviors involves something that is central to theirsense of self.
For example, behaving in ways that are not aligned with your personal values may result in intense feelings of discomfort. Your behavior contradicts not just the beliefs you have about the world, but also the beliefs that you have about yourself.
This discomfort can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Someone with cognitive dissonance may feel:
Cognitive dissonance can even influence how people feel about and view themselves, leading to negative feelings ofself-esteemand self-worth.
Impact of Cognitive Dissonance
Some things that a person might do to cope with these feelings include:
People like to believe that they are logical, consistent, and good at making decisions. Cognitive dissonance can interfere with the perceptions they hold about themselves and their abilities, which is why it can often feel so uncomfortable and unpleasant.
Dealing With Cognitive Dissonance
When there are conflicts betweencognitions(thoughts, beliefs, and opinions), people will take steps to reduce the dissonance and feelings of discomfort. They can go about this a few different ways.
Adding More Beliefs to Outweigh Dissonant Beliefs
People who learn that greenhouse emissions result in global warming might experience feelings of dissonance if they drive a gas-guzzling vehicle. To reduce this dissonance, they may seek out new information that overrides the belief that greenhouse gasses contribute to global warming.
Reducing the Importance of the Conflicting Belief
A person who cares about their health might be disturbed to learn thatsitting for long periodsduring the day is linked to a shortened lifespan. Since they work all day in an office and spend a great deal of time sitting, it is difficult to change their behavior.
Changing Beliefs
Changing the conflicting cognition is one of the most effective ways of dealing with dissonance but it is also one of the most difficult—particularly in the case of deeply held values and beliefs, such as religious orpolitical leanings.
RecapSome of the ways people reduce discomfort from cognitive dissonance include seeking information that aligns with and supports current beliefs, reducing the conflicting belief’s importance, and changing beliefs to reduce the feelings of conflict.
Some of the ways people reduce discomfort from cognitive dissonance include seeking information that aligns with and supports current beliefs, reducing the conflicting belief’s importance, and changing beliefs to reduce the feelings of conflict.
Potential Pitfalls of Cognitive Dissonance
Sometimes, the ways that people resolve cognitive dissonance contribute to unhealthy behaviors orpoor decisions.
According to Festinger, there are a few ways that a person might resolve this dissonance.
By using these types of explanations, the smoker is able to reduce the dissonance and continue the unhealthy behavior.
History of Cognitive Dissonance
Leon Festinger first proposed the theory of cognitive dissonance, centered on how people try to reach internal consistency.He suggested that people have an inner need to ensure that their beliefs and behaviors are consistent. Inconsistent or conflicting beliefs lead to disharmony, which people strive to avoid.
In his 1957 book, “A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance,” Festinger explained, “Cognitive dissonance can be seen as an antecedent condition which leads to activity oriented toward dissonance reduction just as hunger leads toward activity oriented toward hunger-reduction. It is a very different motivation from what psychologists are used to dealing with but, as we shall see, nonetheless powerful.”
Final Thoughts
Cognitive dissonance plays a role in many value judgments, decisions, and evaluations. Becoming aware of how conflicting beliefs impact the decision-making process is a great way to improve your ability to make faster and more accurate choices.
Mismatches between your beliefs and actions can lead to feelings of discomfort (and, sometimes, coping choices that have negative impacts), but such feelings can also sometimes lead to change and growth.
Cognitive Psychology and the Science Behind Mental Processes
5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Cognitive dissonance.Cancino-Montecinos S, Björklund F, Lindholm T.Dissonance reduction as emotion regulation: Attitude change is related to positive emotions in the induced compliance paradigm.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209012. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209012Festinger L.A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance.Vaidis DC, Bran A.Respectable challenges to respectable theory: Cognitive dissonance theory requires conceptualization clarification and operational tools.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1189. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01189Hasan U.Cognitive dissonance and its impact on consumer buying behaviour.IOSR J Bus Manage. 2012;1(4):7-12. doi:10.9790/487x-0140712Additional ReadingBaumeister RF, Bushman B.Social Psychology and Human Nature.Cooper J.Cognitive Dissonance: 50 Years of a Classic Theory.
5 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Cognitive dissonance.Cancino-Montecinos S, Björklund F, Lindholm T.Dissonance reduction as emotion regulation: Attitude change is related to positive emotions in the induced compliance paradigm.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209012. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209012Festinger L.A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance.Vaidis DC, Bran A.Respectable challenges to respectable theory: Cognitive dissonance theory requires conceptualization clarification and operational tools.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1189. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01189Hasan U.Cognitive dissonance and its impact on consumer buying behaviour.IOSR J Bus Manage. 2012;1(4):7-12. doi:10.9790/487x-0140712Additional ReadingBaumeister RF, Bushman B.Social Psychology and Human Nature.Cooper J.Cognitive Dissonance: 50 Years of a Classic Theory.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Cognitive dissonance.Cancino-Montecinos S, Björklund F, Lindholm T.Dissonance reduction as emotion regulation: Attitude change is related to positive emotions in the induced compliance paradigm.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209012. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209012Festinger L.A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance.Vaidis DC, Bran A.Respectable challenges to respectable theory: Cognitive dissonance theory requires conceptualization clarification and operational tools.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1189. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01189Hasan U.Cognitive dissonance and its impact on consumer buying behaviour.IOSR J Bus Manage. 2012;1(4):7-12. doi:10.9790/487x-0140712
American Psychological Association.Cognitive dissonance.
Cancino-Montecinos S, Björklund F, Lindholm T.Dissonance reduction as emotion regulation: Attitude change is related to positive emotions in the induced compliance paradigm.PLoS One. 2018;13(12):e0209012. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209012
Festinger L.A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance.
Vaidis DC, Bran A.Respectable challenges to respectable theory: Cognitive dissonance theory requires conceptualization clarification and operational tools.Front Psychol. 2019;10:1189. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01189
Hasan U.Cognitive dissonance and its impact on consumer buying behaviour.IOSR J Bus Manage. 2012;1(4):7-12. doi:10.9790/487x-0140712
Baumeister RF, Bushman B.Social Psychology and Human Nature.Cooper J.Cognitive Dissonance: 50 Years of a Classic Theory.
Baumeister RF, Bushman B.Social Psychology and Human Nature.
Cooper J.Cognitive Dissonance: 50 Years of a Classic Theory.
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