Festinger's experiment on cults

Festinger’s experiment involved studying a small cult that believed in an impending UFO-caused apocalypse, which would save believers. When the predicted event didn’t happen, members faced cognitive dissonance—conflicting feelings between their belief and reality. To reduce this discomfort, they reinterpreted the failed prophecy as a divine test, reinforcing their faith. This demonstrated that people often justify their beliefs to maintain internal consistency, especially when deeply committed. The study illustrated how commitment and disconfirmation influence belief systems, highlighting the psychological processes involved in group devotion and cognitive dissonance.