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Cognitive Dissonance
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by PBworks 16 years, 1 month ago
Leon Festinger – Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Cognitive Dissonance Theory is based upon the writings of Leon Festinger, a social psychologist from New York City. Festinger wrote A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance in which he explains “cognitive dissonance as a psychological term used to describe the uncomfortable tensions that may result from having two conflicting thoughts (cognition) at the same time or engaging in behavior that conflicts with one’s beliefs” (Wikipedia). Cognitions are “simply bits of knowledge...they can pertain to any variety of thoughts, values, facts, or emotions” (Barker, 2003). If two ideas logically flow or are related, they are known as being consonant. If two or more of these ideas are not logically related, then the idea is known as being dissonant (Barker, 2003). Our own emotional psyche finds comfort in the consonance of things and if faced with dissonance, we tend to either justify or adapt our physical or emotional well-being to seek out a consonant level.
According to changingminds.org, “cognitive dissonance is a very powerful motivator which will often lead us to change one or other of the conflicting beliefs or actions. The discomfort often feels like a tension between the two opposing thoughts. To release the tension we can take one of three actions:
- Change our behavior.
- Justify our behavior by changing the conflicting cognition.
- Justify our behavior by adding new cognitions."
Barker gives an example in the conflict between losing weight and eating ice cream. Changing behaviors would start with stating that ice cream is bad or that I need to lose weight. In order to justify my desire to eat ice cream, I would have to acknowledge that I should not eat ice cream because I am overweight or that I am happy with the way I look and ice cream does not become an issue. I have now justified my behavior to continue eating ice cream because I am happy with the way I look. If I add new cognitions such as I exercise frequently, I eat small dinners or ice cream contains calcium, my consonances or comfort areas outweigh the dissonances and my internal conflict has been resolved (Barker, 2003).
While the conflict over ice cream is a small issue, the stakes one faces over larger issues increases the internal disagreements between beliefs and behaviors. Many of these issues are social “hot” buttons, clashes between pro-choice and pro-life groups, pro-war and anti-war stances, cultural conflicts between nations, etc. The cognitive dissonances that one faces may stem from the most basic tenets of an individual belief and value system being challenged. Education and communication over these challenges may not necessarily erase all of the boundaries that divide one belief system from another, but it does make people aware of an opposite point of view and adds new cognitions that may lessen the severity in extremes that cause the dissonance. Educators can use their classrooms as an open platform to educate and inform their students about the diversity in the world. While there is never one right answer to all of the problems we face, tolerance and the ability to learn how to agree to disagree can start in the classroom.
References
Cognitive Dissonance - Lesson Plan Ideas and Activities
Lesson Plan Ideas and Activities
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Cognitive Dissonance
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