Cognitive dissonance: Definition, effects, and examples

It seems that cognitive dissonance is a theoretical field that will continue to trigger basic and applied research. The cognitive dissonance ratings also did not seem to be affected by the order in which the evidence was presented. Furthermore, we found no significant correlation between the cognitive dissonance reported by participants and the change in their rating of likelihood of guilt. Favouring information that supports one’s belief is a strategy to avoid or reduce cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957; Jonas et al., 2008). However, if participants did not experience cognitive dissonance in response to the contradicting information, they would also have no need to adhere to a specific belief in order to reduce cognitive dissonance.

The Role of Theories in Cognitive Psychology

Hence, rituals help by embedding behavior, which people otherwise would have had conflicting feelings about, in social norms and institutions. Previous studies using EEG have also demonstrated that the DPLFC, especially on the left side, plays a key role in dissonance reduction processes (Harmon-Jones, Gerdjikov, & Harmon-Jones, 2008; Harmon-Jones, Harmon-Jones, Fearn, Sigelman, & Johnson, 2008). The preference for supporting information in response to cognitive dissonance is akin to confirmation bias (Jonas et al., 2001). Namely, after one forms an initial idea, belief perseverance sets in by trying to adhere to that idea. https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/how-to-create-meaning-in-life-best-ways-and-practices/ Cognitive dissonance will subsequently arise in response to information that contradicts that idea.

• The existence of such inconsistency causes mental discomfort and motivates the individual to take some actions to reduce or eliminate it.
• Because the dissonance is aversive, the individuals try to reduce it by changing one or the other beliefs.

Evidence evaluation

If a voluntary experience that has cost a lot of effort turns out badly, the dissonance is reduced by redefining the experience as interesting. Participants in the high-dissonance condition spread apart the alternatives significantly more than the participants in the other two conditions. Participants in the high-dissonance condition chose between a highly desirable product and cognitive dissonance theory one rated just 1 point lower on the 8-point scale.

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Many groups use a “buddy” or “twin” system to monitor and control, especially when out recruiting. Group control is maintained through information about a member’s past, gained either through formal confessionals or through other members’ reports. This includes coached — and imaginary or exaggerated — confessions of childhood, “remembered” through highly-suggestive supposed counseling or group self-abasement (a central technique of Maoist thought reform).

• Although many studies have focused on a single dissonance reduction strategy (Festinger & Carlsmith, 1959; Aronson & Mills, 1959; Brehm, 1956), it is important to note that people may simultaneously adopt multiple strategies to counter the dissonance.
• The importance of a coherent story has also been recognised in other influential theories on legal decision-making (e.g. Simon, 2004; Wagenaar et al., 1993).
• While the hypotheses of the current study were not supported, we observed a recency effect in the ratings of likelihood of guilt.
• Such biases can affect how information is processed, including how it is evaluated and integrated (Charman et al., 2019).

The case was based on material previously used by Ask et al. (2008) and was adapted for use in the current study. The information in the vignette was intended to be ambiguous regarding any specific individual’s guilt. The information in the vignette was limited mainly to what had happened and where, namely that a taxi driver had been shot in his car at a cul-de-sac. The vignette also mentioned that shoeprints had been found around the car, and that a pair of gloves was found near the crime scene. It mentioned that the police had arrested a suspect who had a history of violent behaviour, but no evidence incriminating the suspect for this crime was included in the vignette.

The Theory of Animal Mind: Evidence of Influencing Psychological Theories

In the Netherlands, the case file that judges read before the trial proper is likely to consist mainly of incriminating information (Crombag, 2017). That case file, or a summary of the case file, is likely to form the basis of the judge’s initial belief. Although the case file is mostly incriminating, it is also likely to contain some information that is contradictory to the suspect being guilty.

• Secondly, Festinger viewed people’s mental states in a social environment from an intellectual tradition, which was influenced by Kurt Lewin, rather than a Gestalt tradition as Heider did (Cooper, 2007).
• Participants were also told that they would receive one of the products at the end of the experiment to compensate for their time and effort.
• There are plenty of sources, mostly scientific articles and books, that provide a wide overview of the literature on cognitive dissonance.
• Therefore, manipulating belief perseverance and cognitive dissonance may affect the presence of confirmation bias.

Cognitive Dissonance Theory (CDT)

Cognitive dissonance theory aims to explain the relationships between the motivation, perceptions and cognitions of an individual. The use of the Internet offers the additional benefit of enabling both a universal and targeted program as initial activities can include screening for risk factors and tailoring the subsequent content. For example, ‘Student Bodies’ is an 8-week psycho-educational eating disorder prevention program that was developed in the United States and trialed among female adolescents (mean age 15.1 years) and their parents. It is recommended that future research investigate the use of cognitive dissonance and Internet-based approaches in schools.