They may seek out support from others who share similar beliefs or try to convince others that the new information is inaccurate.Īlternatively, a person may find a way to justify behaviors that conflict with their beliefs. Individuals may persuade themselves that no conflict exists. One example of this is devaluing particular news sources by describing them as biased or false. They may limit their exposure to new information that does not align with their existing beliefs - a phenomenon called “confirmation bias.” Often, people resolve cognitive dissonance by devaluing and discarding conflicting knowledge. They may do this by: Rejecting or avoiding conflicting information People who experience cognitive dissonance can take steps to reduce it. They may make positive changes in their lives, such as addressing unhealthful eating habits, addiction, or anger issues. In this way, it provides people with an opportunity to examine their values and actions and achieve cognitive consistency.Īs a result of cognitive dissonance, many people confront problematic attitudes and actions. Of course, cognitive dissonance may prompt some people to change their behavior so that their actions align with their beliefs. ignore research, newspaper articles, or doctor’s advice that causes dissonanceĪvoiding factual information can allow people to continue maintaining behaviors with which they do not fully agree.avoid learning new information that goes against their existing beliefs.shy away from conversations or debates about specific topics.
The type of beliefs: Beliefs that are more personal lead to more significant dissonance.Other factors that affect the degree of cognitive dissonance that a person experiences include: Some people have a higher tolerance for uncertainty and inconsistency and may experience less cognitive dissonance than those who require consistency. Not everyone experiences cognitive dissonance to the same degree. They must have an awareness of the inconsistency to feel discomfort. It is important to note that cognitive dissonance is not automatic when a person holds opposing beliefs. The drive to resolve dissonance is called the “principle of cognitive consistency.” People will try to reduce this dissonance to relieve the discomfort. Since then, cognitive dissonance has become one of the most influential and researched theories in social psychology. The psychologist Leon Festinger published his theory of cognitive dissonance in his 1957 book, A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance.įestinger proposed that people experience discomfort when they hold conflicting beliefs or when their actions contradict their beliefs. Share on Pinterest Many people experience feelings of unease and tension with cognitive dissonance.
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