As a result of wanting to resolve the mental conflict of cognitive dissonance, people might either change their behavior or ignore information that goes against their desires and goals. For example, the smoker might either quit smoking or rationalize their smoking by saying other habits are just as dangerous.
Cognitive dissonance theory, which was founded by American social psychologist Leon Festinger in 1957, states that cognitive dissonance drives people to resolve the conflict between truths and behaviors that don’t match one another. This can mean either changing behavior or ignoring the truth to avoid discomfort.
This article discusses the signs of cognitive dissonance along with how to cope with it.
Cognitive Dissonance Signs
Signs of cognitive dissonance depend on the situation, but they usually include feeling tense or adopting behavior meant to cover up or ignore the truth, including:
Hypocritical behavior (the act of doing or saying something that contradicts beliefs or information that is known)Avoiding discussion and feelings about traumatic eventsDefensive behaviorAvoiding facts to cover for a lieSeeking or spreading information that confirms an idea instead of learning or expressing the truthRepeating affirmations to the self or others to avoid a change in behaviorFeeling guilty or shameful about acting in a way that doesn’t reflect the truthEmphasizing positive feelings to cover for a lie
Cognitive Dissonance Examples
Examples of cognitive dissonance can range from mild to harmful. They include:
Engaging in or justifying habits that are unhealthy, like smoking Rationalizing abuse Pretending traumatic events have no effect on the present day Spreading confusing or false information to prevent change; for example, when women couldn’t vote, those against women voting would call women fighting for voting rights “unladylike” or “spinsters” Threatening to isolate someone for telling the truth, like when cult members are isolated for leaving Maintaining privilege by focusing on general ideas instead of facts, like when rules and ideas about equal pay don’t necessarily mean equality exists
Factors That Influence Cognitive Dissonance
Factors that might influence cognitive dissonance include:
Complying with expectations or culture at work, school, or in a group Fear of uncertainty Avoiding the pain of trauma Dominating others or maintaining a privilege Righteousness about a belief or goal Covering for an unplanned lie Justifying a bad habit or addiction
Wanting to avoid disappointment after unrealistic expectationsMaintaining close relationshipsNegative or positive emotion when faced with new informationLevel of guilt or shame after receiving informationThe benefit or privilege gained by avoiding a truthCulture or society within a group or organizationAddictionTrauma
The Result of Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance can have positive or negative results. Since cognitive dissonance means wanting to reconcile or ease the discomfort of new information, it can lead to:
Quitting a bad habitChanging behavior after getting correct informationSpeaking truth to create changeAddressing trauma or abuse
Negative effects of cognitive dissonance could include:
Staying too long in harmful groups, workplaces, or relationshipsBlaming the wrong person or entity for a mistakeA status quo that harms people with fewer rightsLies becoming more important than the truthDefense of abusers or harmful group dynamics
How to Cope With Cognitive Dissonance
According to cognitive dissonance theory, the three ways of coping with cognitive dissonance are:
Changing beliefs based on new informationChanging behaviorChanging perception of behavior
Summary
Cognitive dissonance is the uncomfortable feeling that results from finding out new information that contradicts what is already known about a situation. This discomfort also happens when someone’s behavior doesn’t match reality or facts. Signs of cognitive dissonance include tense emotions after getting new information, denying reality, hypocritical behavior, isolating others who don’t comply with an untruth, and avoiding the reality of a situation overall.
Resolving to change behavior after learning factsAdmitting that you or someone else can be wrongUnderstanding whether or not expectations for a goal were realisticResearching ways to improve upon a setback without blaming othersPrioritizing health and well-being of individuals regardless of group dynamicsAccepting uncertaintyUnderstanding inequality and injustice within large groups and societies
A Word From Verywell
We all face cognitive dissonance at times since we’re always learning new things that might demand change in our behavior or belief system. Whether you resolve feelings of cognitive dissonance may depend on influences from work and family, your goals, or your identity.
Facing truths or changing an unhealthy habit might be uncomfortable, but resolving this discomfort can create positive changes. Also, speaking up for another person could improve a group or culture overall.
Eating food you know is unhealthyDoing something convenient that might be bad for the environmentAvoiding discussion of a conflict or event despite strong feelings or traumaConforming to a group or society even if rules are not being followed or people are harmed
