Cognitive dissonance is a mental state accompanied by discomfort caused by a mismatch or inconsistency in the minds of a number of conflicting ideas and concepts. Despite the complexity of the name and definition, each person is faced with something similar almost daily. Sometimes we, without knowing it, plunge ourselves into a similar state, but more often this happens for reasons independent of the person.
The meaning of the concept
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that is accompanied by the occurrence of some mismatch between the two cognitions. So, often in his actions a person has to either neglect social attitudes, or sacrifice personal principles. Because of this, a certain disagreement arises between action and persuasion.
As a result of the onset of cognitive dissonance, a person can resort to justification of their own actions or delusions, which run counter to generally accepted norms. Otherwise, the individual has to direct his thinking in a new direction, which would correspond to the opinion of others and reduce conflicting feelings.
Cognitive dissonance - what are these simple words?
Many psychological concepts and terms are not so easy to understand and understand their meaning. Detailed clarification is sometimes required. This also applies to the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance. What are these simple words? The explanation of this concept is much simpler than it might seem at first glance.
Each person has some kind of life experience and personal opinion regarding the solution of certain situations. Nevertheless, it is not always possible to solve a particular problem on the basis of their own ideas. Sometimes a person goes against his own opinion, for example, for the sake of others, public values or the norms of the law. This discrepancy between thoughts and actions is called cognitive dissonance.
Sometimes it happens that an individual consciously or unconsciously violates certain rules (or even commits a crime). In this case, it is important to get an excuse not only from others, but also from oneself. Thus, a person begins to seek or invent moments that can mitigate guilt in order to weaken the inner contradiction. It is also worth noting that such contradictions can arise not only in one individual, but also at the collective level.
Cognitive dissonance also often arises when a person has to make an important decision. The individual is overcome with doubts that do not go away even when the final choice is made. Mental activity for some time will be aimed at sorting out possible options and their consequences in the head.
Causes of Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance can occur due to several common causes, among which are the following:
- inconsistency of ideas and concepts with which a person is guided when making certain decisions;
- the divergence of life beliefs with generally accepted norms in society or in a certain circle;
- the spirit of controversy caused by the reluctance to follow generally accepted cultural and ethical standards, and especially when they are contrary to the law;
- inconsistency of information obtained as a result of a particular experience with new conditions or situations.
The author of the theory
The author of the theory of cognitive dissonance is Leon Festinger. This teaching was introduced in 1957 and was intended to explain the essence, causes, and patterns of this phenomenon. The author considered this concept as a phenomenon of inconsistency between different thoughts and ideas of an individual (or collective).
Hypothesis theory
The theory of cognitive dissonance by L. Festinger is based on two main hypotheses, which are as follows:
- in view of the fact that the occurrence of cognitive dissonance is accompanied by psychological discomfort, the individual will make every effort to overcome this discrepancy;
- from the first paragraph we can deduce the second, which states that a person will in every possible way avoid situations that can plunge him into a similar state.
Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance not only provides an interpretation and clarification of concepts, but also explains ways out of this state. In addition, the scientist considers a number of real cases, which are the most typical examples in psychology.
The essence of the theory
The first thing worth noting is the fact that the theory of cognitive dissonance is classified as motivational. This means that this condition is decisive in the behavior of the individual. We can say that it is ideas and beliefs that largely affect a person’s actions, as well as his life position. Thus, it is impossible to interpret knowledge only as a set of certain facts. These are primarily motivational factors that determine a person’s behavior both in everyday life and in non-standard situations.
The concept of cognitive dissonance combines two categories. The first of these is intelligence, which is seen as a combination of certain beliefs and knowledge, as well as attitudes towards them. The second is affect, that is, a reaction to pathogens and irritants. At the very moment when a person ceases to find a connection or feels internal contradictions between these categories, a state of cognitive dissonance sets in.
The process itself is inextricably linked with past events and the experience of the individual. So, having committed a certain act, a person may begin to repent or feel remorse. Moreover, this can happen after a significant period of time. Then the individual begins to seek justification for his action or some facts that can mitigate his guilt.
How to reduce dissonance?
The state of cognitive dissonance causes psychological discomfort, which the individual, quite naturally, tries to get rid of (or, at least, slightly reduce unpleasant sensations). There are several ways that can help to alleviate the controversial state, namely:
- change the line of your behavior (if you feel that you are doing wrong, or acting contrary to your beliefs, you should direct your efforts in the opposite direction, if it seems possible in this particular case);
- convince yourself (meaning the search for justification for your actions in order to reduce their guilt or even make them correct in their understanding);
- filter information (in order not to feel internal contradictions, it is worthwhile to perceive only positive data, and not to take all the negative seriously or completely bypass it);
- take into account all the information and facts about the situation, make an idea of it, and then build a new line of behavior, which will be considered the only correct one.
How to avoid dissonance
Since the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance is associated with discomfort and psychological stress, many people prefer to prevent this condition than to deal with its consequences later. One of the most affordable ways to achieve this is to avoid any negative information that may contradict your personal beliefs or the current situation. This method fits into the concept of psychological defense, which was developed by Sigmund Freud, and later developed by his followers.
In the case when the occurrence of cognitive dissonance could not be avoided, we can fight against its further development. For this, additional elements are introduced into the cognitive system that are designed to present the current situation in a positive light. In this case, it is necessary to ignore or in every possible way avoid those sources of information that can return you to the initial state.
One of the most common and affordable ways to deal with dissonance is to accept reality and adapt to it. In this regard, it is worth convincing yourself that the situation is acceptable. In addition, if the phenomenon is long-term, then the psychological work should be aimed at changing their own beliefs.
Cognitive Dissonance: Case Studies
In real life, quite often you can encounter such phenomena that cause a feeling of inconsistency or inconsistency of beliefs in a real situation. This is cognitive dissonance. Their examples are quite numerous.
The simplest example is the gold medalist and troechnik who entered the university. It is logical that the first teachers expect high results and a decent level of knowledge, and the second do not have special expectations. Nevertheless, it may turn out that the excellent student will answer the question very mediocre and incomplete, and the three-player, on the contrary, will give a competent meaningful answer. In this case, the teacher comes to a cognitive dissonance due to the fact that his beliefs were not consistent with the real situation.
Another example, cited by psychologist A. Leontyev, illustrates the desire to reduce discomfort. So, imprisoned revolutionaries were forced to dig holes as punishment. Naturally, the occupation was unpleasant and even disgusting to the prisoners. To reduce the feeling of psychological discomfort, many gave their action a new meaning, namely, harming the current regime.
Cognitive dissonance can also be considered in relation to people with bad habits (for example, smokers, or those who abuse alcohol. It is natural that all of them sooner or later realize the harm of these phenomena to their body. In this case, there are two scenarios. Either the individual is trying in every way possible to get rid of the bad habit, or he begins to look for excuses that in his mind can outweigh the possible harm that will be done to health.
Another example is also associated with a typical life situation. So, for example, you see a beggar on the street asking for alms, but in his appearance you can say that he doesn’t deserve money or doesn’t need it so much (or maybe he doesn’t spend money on food or medicine, but on alcohol or cigarettes). Nevertheless, under the influence of your life principles or moral standards, you cannot pass by such a person. Thus, under the guidance of public principles, you are doing what you do not want.
Sometimes it happens that before a critical exam a student simply does not prepare for it. This may be due to laziness, health conditions, unforeseen circumstances, and so on.Thus, realizing his responsibility for the result and realizing the possible consequences, the individual, however, does not make any attempts to learn a summary.
Cognitive dissonance is often experienced by girls who seek to lose weight and torment themselves with diets. If at this time they want to eat, for example, a cake, then this will run counter to their goals and general ideas about proper nutrition. There are several possible solutions to the problem. You can continue to insist on your own and deny yourself sweets, or you can completely stop the diet, making sure that you look good anyway. You can also make a one-time indulgence for yourself, which will later be compensated by starvation or physical activity.
Conclusion
Cognitive dissonance has been dealt with by many scientists and psychologists. Particularly worth paying attention to the works of Leon Festinger, as well as Sigmund Freud and his followers. Their theories are the most comprehensive and contain not only information about the phenomenon itself and its causes, but also about how to solve the problem.
It is worth noting that the theory that describes the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance is motivational. The contradiction that arises as a result of the discrepancy between beliefs and desires of real actions, in many respects affects how the individual will behave in the future. He can come to terms with the situation and try to reconsider his ideas, which will slightly reduce the state of dissonance, and may resort to trying to explain or justify his behavior, avoiding real data and facts (protecting himself from the outside world).
To avoid a state of cognitive dissonance, you should avoid conflicting states and information that is contrary to your beliefs. Thus, you can protect yourself from internal contradictions that arose due to the need to act contrary to your desires and beliefs.
