Cognitive Dissonance Paradigm

The Cognitive Dissonance Paradigm refers to the mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values, or when their behavior contradicts their beliefs. To reduce this discomfort, individuals often change their attitudes, justify their actions, or rationalize inconsistencies. This process helps restore internal harmony and consistency in their thinking. For example, someone who values health but smokes might justify smoking by downplaying its risks, thereby alleviating the discomfort caused by this contradiction. This concept explains why people sometimes behave in ways that conflict with their beliefs and how they resolve such conflicts.