What is the main proposition of the cognitive dissonance theory?
The central thesis of cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger, 1957) is that when two beliefs are inconsistent, individuals experience negatively arousing cognitive conflict (called dissonance). The individuals are therefore motivated to reduce the conflict by justifying the decision they have made.
How does cognitive dissonance dissolve?
Dissonance can be reduced in one of three ways: a) changing existing beliefs, b) adding new beliefs, or c) reducing the importance of the beliefs.
How did Leon Festinger come up with cognitive dissonance?
Leon Festinger first proposed the theory of cognitive dissonance centered on how people try to reach internal consistency. 3 He suggested that people have an inner need to ensure that their beliefs and behaviors are consistent. Inconsistent or conflicting beliefs lead to disharmony, which people strive to avoid.
What are the types of cognitive dissonance?
There are five primary types of cognitive dissonance: post-decisional dissonance, dissonance from wanting something we can’t have, dissonance due to inconsistency between attitude and behavior, dissonance due to inadequate justification, and dissonance due to inconsistency between commitment and information.
What is Leon Festinger known for?
Cognitive dissonance
Effort justificationSocial comparison theory
Leon Festinger/Known for
What was Leon Festinger contribution to psychology?
Leon Festinger was a 20th century psychologist who developed the theories of cognitive dissonance and social comparison. These theories continue to play a role in contemporary psychology.
What is a dissonant sound?
Dissonance – Dissonant chords are combinations that sound jarring, like middle C and the C sharp above (a minor second). In Western music, dissonance is the quality of sounds that seem unstable and have an aural need to resolve to a stable consonance.
What does Festinger’s principle of cognitive dissonance mean?
Festinger’s (1957) cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony (or dissonance). This is known as the principle of cognitive consistency.
How is the problem of cognitive dissonance resolved?
How is cognitive dissonance resolved? Dissonance can be reduced in one of three ways: a) changing existing beliefs, b) adding new beliefs, or c) reducing the importance of the beliefs. Change one or more of the attitudes, behavior, beliefs, etc., to make the relationship between the two elements a consonant one.
How does Belief Disconfirmation cause cognitive dissonance?
Belief disconfirmation. The disconfirmation (contradiction) of a belief, ideal, or system of values causes cognitive dissonance that can be resolved by changing the belief under contradiction; yet, instead of effecting change, the resultant mental stress restores psychological consonance to the person, by misperception, rejection,…
How does attitude change take place in cognitive dissonance theory?
How Attitude Change Takes Place Festinger’s (1957) cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony (or dissonance). This is known as the principle of cognitive consistency.