Cognitive Consonance

Cognitive consonance occurs when our beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors are in harmony, creating a feeling of internal consistency and psychological comfort. It is the opposite of cognitive dissonance, which involves mental discomfort when our actions or beliefs conflict. For example, if you value health and eat nutritious food, you experience consonance. When your beliefs and actions align, you feel psychologically at ease. People often seek to maintain this harmony by justifying or adjusting their beliefs or actions to reduce any internal conflict, promoting a sense of stability and coherence in their worldview.