The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Pandemic

Arguably, to reconcile the theory of CD in the light of recent developments in multidisciplinary studies in PP is insightful in two domains. First, it provides a case that dissonance theory, even though updatable, is still in many respects on track with cutting-edge research even six decades after its initial formulation by Festinger (1957). This is particularly the case since CD theory and PP both deal extensively with the reduction of subjectively surprising states, or dissonance and prediction error, respectively. Indeed, as is shown below, prediction error and CD appear to be processually related, if not at times parallel, phenomena.

The third group, the control group, was not asked to speak with the confederate. The children had a choice to make–play with the toy that they really wanted and face punishment, or ignore their desire for the toy. For the children threatened with severe punishment, the choice was easy–do not play with the toy. Their desire for the toy was great, but the risk of severe punishment was not worth it. Their desire for the toy was great and their concern for the mild punishment was small. While they also chose not to play with the toy, they may have needed to justify, to themselves, why they did not play with the forbidden toy.

You’ll Find Examples of Cognitive Dissonance in Communication and Advertising

In other words, we have a tendency for selectively harvesting sensory information which is consonant with our predictions. The “dark side” (Clark, 2016, p. 71) of this, confirmation bias, is discussed in more detail later in this section. However, it cognitive dissonance theory is worth noting that this sort of confirmation bias was particularly what Festinger, a social psychologist, was interested in. The detection of an inconsistency arouses a state of discomfort (i.e., CDS) that motivate the individual to reduce it.

• The more the dissonance, the greater the uncomfortable effort necessary to get the desired result.
• Notably, the resulting attitude change can be long lasting (Sharot, Fleming, Yu, Koster, & Dolan, 2012).
• This is simply because it even though it may be analytically feasible, it makes very little pragmatic sense.
• By bringing attention to the inconsistencies in our minds, cognitive dissonance may present an opportunity for growth.

Until now, replication projects have not yet focused on CDT and have spared this theory. We did definitely learn a lot from the six decades of existence of CDT and it influenced many fields and theoretical descendants (e.g., Aronson, 1992; Harmon-Jones and Mills, 1999; Gawronski and Strack, 2012). However, even the most fervent proponents of the theory –including ourselves– should admit that the field has avoided addressing some major criticisms which persisted through the years and that are still relevant today. These questions echo insistently in this time of methodological crisis, and we believe that the field should make a special effort to address them.

Effects of cognitive dissonance

Write an essay of at least one to two pages that explains the situation that produced cognitive dissonance. Discuss which of the three stages you experienced that caused you to feel cognitive dissonance. Describe which of the three resolutions you used to get past the cognitive dissonance.

The original book by Leon Festinger is a staple on every (social) psychologist’s bookshelf. This offers opportunities to discuss the discrepancies, deepen the relationship, and re-align values. Conversely, we may justify or trivialize negative behavior or even end the relationship. Coping mechanisms can include justifying their behavior (and our relationship with them), trivializing their behavior or the importance of it, attempting to change their behavior, or changing our own behavior. Cognitive dissonance and the way we cope with it regularly affect our relationships, too, both positively and negatively. Their questionnaire includes items regarding the decision-making process before and after the purchase.

A Comparative Take: Prediction Error and Dissonance Reduction

Proulx and Inzlicht (2012), for instance, mischievously suggest disanxiousuncertlibrium as a term for the state of cognitive dissonance, while Harmon-Jones et al. (2009) suggest keeping the term dissonance for the state and refer to cognitive discrepancy for the triggering situation. Although the use of a unique terminology would definitely improve clarity, our point here is not to specify the consensual terms to be used, but rather to emphasize the necessity of using specific terms to designate distinct concepts instead of relying on one general term such as dissonance. Being more mindful and recognizing when you’re experiencing cognitive dissonance can motivate you to change whatever is not consistent in your life. In doing so, you’ll get back to that place of harmony, and you’ll likely be happier as a result. Not only do you have to deal with cognitive dissonance that comes up due to your own thoughts or actions, but you may also experience cognitive dissonance as a result of strategic advertising. Recognizing the contradiction can be uncomfortable, and sometimes even anxiety-inducing, depending on how severe the contradiction is or how significant those contradicted thoughts or values are to you.

“While this can be helpful sometimes, it can also lead us to compromise important values or beliefs we may not want to change, and can cause internal conflict,” Leikam says. Maybe you decide you’re okay with your husband being less romantic, even though those small, loving gestures were once important to you. But if deep down you still resent that behavior, that tension can lead to more problems over time. Encountering these types of advertisements frequently can lead to stress if you do take the messages at face value. So, college women who write letters to junior high school girls promoting the importance of having a healthy body image, later on, develop more positive attitudes about their own bodies. Simply asking people to sign a petition in favor of recycling or following speed limit laws pushes their attitudes more in favor of such policies and changes their behavior.

What Influences Cognitive Dissonance?

Each of these examples at least could involve discomfort from the tension between one’s beliefs and actions. Next to dissonance reduction, Festinger (1957, p. 29–31) emphasizes that there are also strong tendencies to “avoid the occurrence of dissonance altogether.” In other words, sometimes people will “actively avoid situations and information which would likely increase the dissonance” (Festinger, 1957, p. 3). If a person has past experience that a certain environment or source of information would cause CD, such environments or information might be actively avoided (Festinger, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ 1957, p. 30). In this section, I introduce the main tenets of PP, particularly drawing on Clark’s (2016) work, acknowledging that any brief introduction to such a multifaceted, multidisciplinary, and multilevel account of the mind will be incomplete. The reader is humbly directed particularly to Clark (2015, 2016) and Friston (2010) for a greatly more comprehensive introductory account to PP. Once the inconsistency induction and the CDS issues are fixed—and only after that—the research could finally focus seriously on the regulation sequence and the whole model.

• This can prompt people to adopt certain defense mechanisms when they have to confront it.
• Third, people are likely to prefer to attain their desired ends in ways that satisfy multiple motives.
• Changing social environments, Festinger (ibid.) argues, is a more common affair.