Question

Write a brief note on the following:

Cognitive dissonance

Answer 1

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort or tension a person feels when they hold two or more conflicting beliefs or attitudes, or when their actions conflict with their beliefs. This inconsistency creates psychological discomfort, prompting individuals to reduce the dissonance by changing their attitudes or behaviours.

According to the cognitive approach, people strive for consistency in their thoughts. For example, when someone publicly behaves in a way that contradicts their private beliefs, they may experience dissonance. To reduce this discomfort, they might adjust their private attitude to align with their public behaviour. This reduction of dissonance leads to attitude change and is important for maintaining psychological well-being.