Cognitive Dissonance Theory

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The Costs and Benefits of Cognitive Dissonance Reduction

Psychologist Leon Festinger proposed a theory of cognitive dissonance centered on how people try to reach internal consistency. He suggested that people have an inner need to ensure that their beliefs and behaviors are consistent. Inconsistent or conflicting beliefs lead to disharmony, which people strive to avoid.

According to this theory, people experience tension or discomfort when their beliefs or attitudes do not match their behaviors. People tend to seek consistency in their beliefs and perceptions. When there is a discrepancy between beliefs or behaviors, something must change in order to eliminate or reduce the dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance always produces discomfort and in response we try to reduce it.
There are three basic ways to reduce dissonance:
Change our behavior to bring it in line with the dissonant cognition
2. Attempt to justify our behavior through changing on of the dissonant cognitions
3. Attempt to justify our behavior by adding new cognitions

Successfully doing any of these three will reduce ones dissonance.

An example of cognitive dissonance would be a …show more content…
One reason could be explained through the attribution theory: A description of the way in which people explain the causes of their own and other people’s behavior. The internal/external attribution dichotomy plays an extraordinary important role in most every parts of our lives. Gabby’s internal disposition was that she was unhappy at work due to the fact that their is one co-worker, Bill, who is a complete slacker. Gabby has to work harder at her job to get their collective tasks completed. The external attribution would be that our manager, Gene is a complete push over and continues to give Bill a pass on his lack of commitment to his job function which makes Gabby furious that she has to pick up Bill’s

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