Theories of cognitive dissonance

Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds conflicting beliefs or behaviors, causing mental discomfort. For example, if someone values healthy eating but then eats junk food, they may feel uneasy. To reduce this discomfort, they might change their beliefs ("It's okay to indulge sometimes") or justify their behavior ("I deserve a treat"). Theories of cognitive dissonance explore how individuals strive for internal consistency and how they adapt their thoughts or actions to relieve this mental discomfort, often unconsciously. These theories help explain why people sometimes rationalize or modify beliefs to maintain psychological harmony.