Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Kryzyl Mae C. Cuyno

Presenter 32, TCM 3k2

Dr. Ramir Philip Jones V. Sonsona

August 19, 2015

INTRODUCTION
Theory Definition

COGNITIVE DISSONANCE refers to a situation involving conflicting

attitudes, beliefs or behaviours. This produces a feeling of discomfort leading to
an alteration in one of the attitudes, beliefs or behaviours to reduce the
discomfort and restore balance.

Theorist
Leon Festinger (1957)
Background Information about the Theorist
An American social psychologist, perhaps best known for cognitive
dissonance and social comparison theory.
Born in Brooklyn New York on May 8, 1919.
BS degree in psychology from the City College of New York in 1939.
Received his MA in 1940 and PhD in 1942 in the field of child behaviour at the
University of Iowa.
Awarded the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award by the American
Psychological Association in 1959.
Named as one of Americas ten most promising scientists by Fortune magazine
shortly after publishing social comparison theory.
Died on February 11, 1989 because of Liver Cancer.

CONTENT
Three fundamental assumptions:
1. Humans are sensitive to inconsistencies between actions and beliefs.
When we are acting in a way that is inconsistent with our
beliefs/attitudes/opinions. In effect, there is a built in alarm that goes off
when we notice such an inconsistency, whether we like it or not.
2. Recognition of this inconsistency will cause dissonance, and will motivate an
individual to resolve the dissonance.
The greater the dissonance the more you will be motivated to resolve it.
3. Dissonance will be resolved in one of three basic ways:
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a. Change beliefs
o Perhaps the simplest way to resolve dissonance between actions and
beliefs is simply to change your beliefs.
b. Change actions
o A second option would be to make sure that you never do this action
again.
c. Change perception of action
o A third and more complex method of resolution is to change the way you
view/remember/perceive your action. In more colloquial terms, you
would "rationalize" your actions.
CONCLUSIONS:

Cognitive Dissonance Theory has been beneficial in helping to

explain human behaviour. Generally, most people will change their
opinion to match what they have said or acted out as a way of
resolving this internal dissonance.

References:
http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-dissonance.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Festinger
http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-dissonance.html
http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/cognitivedissonance.html
http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/psychology/cognitive_dissonance.html
http://www.socialemotiveneuroscience.org/pubs/response%20to%20rijsman
%20ehj%20single.pdf

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