What is cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance is defined as the mental discomfort experienced by a person who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or ideas. This psychological phenomenon occurs when an individual encounters conflicting thoughts or attitudes, leading to feelings of tension or unease. The person is motivated to resolve this discomfort by either changing their beliefs or attitudes, justifying them, or changing their behavior to achieve consistency.

For instance, if someone values health but regularly smokes, they may experience cognitive dissonance because smoking contradicts their health beliefs. To alleviate this discomfort, they might quit smoking, downplay the health risks associated with smoking, or highlight other aspects of their behavior that align with their health values.

This concept highlights the influence of internal conflicts on behavior and decision-making, emphasizing how individuals seek harmony in their thoughts and beliefs. Understanding cognitive dissonance can also help in contexts such as therapy, marketing, and behavioral change strategies, where addressing these conflicts can lead to more effective outcomes.