Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, explains the discomfort we feel when our beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors conflict. For example, if someone who values health smokes cigarettes, they experience dissonance because their behavior contradicts their beliefs. To resolve this discomfort, individuals might change their beliefs (e.g., downplaying smoking's risks), modify their behavior (e.g., quitting smoking), or seek justification (e.g., comparing themselves to others who smoke). Ultimately, cognitive dissonance drives us to achieve harmony between our thoughts and actions, influencing how we think and behave in everyday life.