COGNITIVE DISSONANCE Meaning and
Definition
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Cognitive dissonance is a psychological term used to describe the mental discomfort or tension that arises when an individual holds inconsistent beliefs, values, attitudes, or behaviors. It occurs when there is a conflict between what a person thinks, knows, or believes, and their actions or decisions. This phenomenon is based on the premise that humans strive for internal consistency and when there is an incongruity between thoughts and actions, it creates a state of cognitive dissonance.
When experiencing cognitive dissonance, individuals may feel uneasy, confused, or even guilty due to the contradiction between their beliefs and behaviors. They may also experience internal psychological pressure to resolve this inconsistency. This can lead to various psychological strategies in order to reduce or eliminate the cognitive dissonance, such as changing attitudes or behaviors, acquiring new information, or rationalizing their actions.
Cognitive dissonance theory, proposed by psychologist Leon Festinger, suggests that people have an inherent motivation to reduce this discomfort by aligning their beliefs and behaviors. The theory argues that individuals actively seek consistency in their thoughts and actions as a way to maintain cognitive balance and reduce dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance has important implications in various fields, including psychology, sociology, and marketing. Understanding and studying cognitive dissonance can provide insights into human decision-making processes, attitude change, persuasion techniques, and self-justification mechanisms.
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Etymology of COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
The term "cognitive dissonance" was coined by American psychologist Leon Festinger in the mid-20th century. It is derived from the Latin word "cognitio", meaning knowledge or awareness, and the Latin word "dissonantia", which translates to disharmony or inconsistency. Combining these elements, "cognitive dissonance" refers to the psychological discomfort that arises when a person holds contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes, which motivates them to reduce the inconsistency and restore harmony within their cognition.
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