Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort a person feels when they hold contradictory beliefs, attitudes, or values, or when their behavior conflicts with these beliefs. For example, if someone values health but smokes cigarettes, they experience dissonance because their actions contradict their beliefs. This discomfort often motivates individuals to change their beliefs, rationalize their actions, or seek consistency in their thoughts to reduce the tension. Essentially, cognitive dissonance highlights how we strive for internal harmony and can influence our decisions and behaviors significantly.
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Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person experiences discomfort due to holding two conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values. For example, if someone values health but smokes cigarettes, they may feel uneasy about the contradiction between their actions and beliefs. To resolve this discomfort, individuals often change their beliefs, justify their behavior, or minimize the importance of the conflict. This process helps restore mental balance but can lead to rationalizations that might not align with reality. Understanding cognitive dissonance can help us recognize how people cope with conflicting thoughts in everyday life.