Cognitive dissonance Flashcards
Cognitive dissonance
The term ‘cognitive dissonance’ describes the unpleasant feeling experienced when the is a conflict within an individuals attitudes, beliefs or behaviors. It is this unpleasant sensation that leads people to change.
The term was introduced into the literature by Leon Festinger.
A good example is smoking. People who smoke (behaviour) often have an inner conflict (dissonance) due to some awareness that it can cause cancer.
The cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and beliefs in harmony (cognitive consistency) and avoid disharmony (or dissonance). The drive for cognitive consistency can result in irrational or maladaptive behaviours.
Dissonance can be reduced in a number of ways:
One or more attitudes, behaviours, or beliefs can be changed
Acquire new information
Reduce the importance of the cognitions
