Conversely, we may justify or trivialize negative behavior or even end the relationship. Since cognitive dissonance often naturally occurs after a decision such as a purchase, this is what questionnaires have focused on. A good example is the prospect of embarrassing ourselves https://ecosoberhouse.com/ in front of others, such as by forgetting our words during a speech. However, after further thought, we may decide that it does not matter what others think of us and can thus reduce the dissonance. The next step is to identify the cause of inconsistencies in our thoughts.

Resolving dissonance may help prevent us from making bad choices or motivate us to make good ones. This desire to be at peace with our decisions might be just the thing to inspire us to go for that run after all. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people are averse to inconsistencies within their own minds. It offers one explanation for why people sometimes make an effort to adjust their thinking when their own thoughts, words, or behaviors seem to clash with each other.

It’s an uncomfortable feeling to hold diametrically opposed beliefs.

Selective exposure is the same thing as cognitive bias which I addressed in an earlier post. Hiding from the truth won’t make it go away; it’s better to go ahead find out why it triggers you. In addition to these emotional experiences, cognitive dissonance can also inspire a change in your behavior or beliefs. Some of these changes can be positive, such as shifting problematic beliefs or harmful habits.

And the research has shed further light on cognitive dissonance, its causes, and effects. You’ve gotten offers for two different jobs you applied and interviewed cognitive dissonance and addiction for. This is probably because dissonance would be caused if we spent a great effort to achieve something and then evaluated it negatively.

Cognitive Behavioral Interventions – Substance Use Adult (CBI-SUA) Facilitator Training

This approach works by encouraging people to say things or role-play behaviors that contradict their beliefs about food and body image. Cognitive dissonance can happen to anyone, and most cases resolve on their own. However, there are therapy options for people whose cognitive dissonance is severely affecting their relationships or the ability to live their lives.

This produces a feeling of mental discomfort leading to an alteration in one of the attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors to reduce the discomfort and restore balance. Cognitive dissonance is the uncomfortable feeling that can occur when you have conflicting beliefs, values, or behaviors. Cognitive dissonance may help you make positive changes in your life, but it can also be destructive, especially when you look for ways to rationalize and continue harmful behaviors. If you’re experiencing cognitive dissonance, it’s best to ask yourself if the strategies you’re using to cope with it will result in a positive long-term outcome. Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort you feel when you have two contradictory beliefs or values. Sometimes, the ways that people resolve cognitive dissonance contribute to unhealthy behaviors or poor decisions.

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The student’s performance increased significantly after our discussion. People with addiction tend to feel alone, and the one thing that makes them feel whole is to drink and take drugs. Little do they know, overdose, coma, seizures, and death occur before finally deciding to get help. Over the past 70 years, cognitive dissonance has been heavily studied.

• For example, a smoker might quit smoking or instead rationalize their behavior by saying other habits are just as dangerous.
• People who feel it could realize, for example, that they need to update their beliefs to reflect the truth, or change their behavior to better match the person they want to be.
• People tend to act on their feelings/emotions, but do so impulsively.

This article provides some examples of cognitive dissonance, discusses the signs, and offers some suggestions on how to cope with it. Explore how presenting a misleading image of social and emotional wellness affects mental health. People like to believe that they are logical, consistent, and good at making decisions. Cognitive dissonance can interfere with the perceptions they hold about themselves and their abilities, which is why it can often feel so uncomfortable and unpleasant. There are a number of different situations that can create conflicts that lead to cognitive dissonance.

What Happens to the Brain During Cognitive Dissonance?

He might ease this feeling by telling himself that the health warning is exaggerated or, more productively, by deciding to take action to change his behavior. If a woman reads that her favorite politician has done something immoral, she could conclude that the charges have been invented by his enemies—or, instead, rethink her support. A person who cares about their health might be disturbed to learn that sitting for long periods during the day is linked to a shortened lifespan. Since they work all day in an office and spend a great deal of time sitting, it is difficult to change their behavior.