Cognitive Dissonance Defined
Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds contradictory beliefs or values, or their actions conflict with their beliefs, creating psychological stress.
Origins and Research
Developed by Leon Festinger in 1957, the theory of cognitive dissonance has become a central concept in social psychology, influencing numerous subsequent studies and theories.
Dissonance Reduction Techniques
People reduce dissonance by changing beliefs, acquiring new information, reducing the importance of conflicting beliefs, or ignoring contradictory information.
Impact on Decision Making
Post-decision dissonance can lead individuals to retroactively value their choices more positively, a phenomenon known as 'choice justification'.
Dissonance in Everyday Life
Cognitive dissonance is prevalent in everyday scenarios, including consumer behavior, voting, and interpersonal relationships, influencing actions and self-perception.
Cultural Differences
Research indicates that the experience and handling of cognitive dissonance can vary significantly across cultures, often related to individualistic or collectivist societal norms.
Physical Consequences
Surprisingly, cognitive dissonance can manifest physically, sometimes resulting in discomfort or stress reactions such as increased heart rate or sweating.
Who developed cognitive dissonance theory?
Sigmund Freud
Leon Festinger
Carl Jung
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