Cognitive Dissonance: Concepts and Applications

Topic: Cognitive Dissonance

Introduction to Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological concept describing the discomfort that arises from holding conflicting attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. This theory is central to understanding how individuals strive for internal consistency and how they resolve contradictions in their thoughts and actions.

Consonant vs. Dissonant Thoughts

• Consonant thoughts: Thoughts and/or behaviors that are consistent with each other. For example, believing that fast food is bad for your health and choosing not to eat fast food.

• Dissonant thoughts: Thoughts and/or behaviors that are inconsistent or in conflict. For example, knowing that fast food is unhealthy but still eating it several times a week.

Example:

• Consonant: "Fast food is bad for your health" + "I'm not going to eat fast food."

• Dissonant: "Fast food is bad for your health" + "I eat fast food several times a week."

Resolving Cognitive Dissonance

Individuals are motivated to reduce the discomfort of dissonance. Strategies to increase consonance include:

1. Change the belief: For example, "Fast food isn't that bad for you."

2. Change the behavior: For example, "I'm going to stop eating so much fast food."

3. Justify the behavior: For example, "I'm busy so I need to eat fast food right now. I'll change my habits soon."

Application: Identifying Consonant and Dissonant Thoughts

Labeling thoughts and behaviors as consonant or dissonant helps in understanding and managing cognitive dissonance. Below is an example table:

Thought/Behavior	Consonant (C) / Dissonant (D)
Studying is more important than a movie	C
Watching a movie	D
Alcohol is bad for your health	C
Drinking soda at a party	D
Talking to family members is valuable	C
Ignoring calls from parents	D
Waking the dog is important	C
Waking up early to walk the dog	D

Strategy for changing a dissonant thought: Change the behavior or call your parents.

Quiz Example

• True/False: Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort created by dissonant thoughts. True

• Multiple Choice: Cognitive dissonance is caused by conflict between beliefs and behaviors. Correct answer

Key Terms

• Cognitive dissonance: The psychological discomfort from holding conflicting cognitions.

• Consonant: Thoughts or behaviors that are consistent with each other.

• Dissonant: Thoughts or behaviors that are inconsistent or in conflict.

Additional info:

• Cognitive dissonance theory was developed by Leon Festinger in 1957.

• It is widely applied in areas such as attitude change, decision making, and moral reasoning.