The Role of Emotion in Dissonance

Emotion plays a key role in cognitive dissonance, which occurs when our actions conflict with our beliefs or values. When we experience dissonance, it creates discomfort or tension. To reduce this negative feeling, we subconsciously adjust our emotions or beliefs—such as justifying a decision or changing our attitude—to make ourselves feel better. Essentially, our emotions motivate us to resolve the conflict and restore inner harmony. Recognizing this emotional involvement helps us understand why people often rationalize questionable behaviors or choices, as it serves as a mental mechanism to alleviate discomfort caused by dissonance.