Author Question: Briefly describe cognitive dissonance theory. What will be an ideal ... (Read 117 times)

wrbasek0 · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Briefly describe cognitive dissonance theory.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

One way to reduce cognitive dissonance is to engage in self-affirmation. In what case of cognitive dissonance might we be more likely to use this indirect method for dissonance reduction?

If you did something that induced some dissonance, and you used self-affirmation to reduce your dissonance, how would you personally go about it?

harveenkau8139 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer:
Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that inconsistencies between attitudes and actions create discomfort and negative feelings, known as dissonance. To reduce dissonance, we can change our attitude, change our behavior, obtain additional information to support the attitude or behavior, or trivialize the attitude or behavior. We can also reduce dissonance indirectly by using self-affirmations.

Answer to Question 2

Answer:
People are more likely to use the indirect method in cases where it is more difficult to trivialize, i.e., when the dissonance involves serious attitude/behavior conflicts. (Obviously, what follows is idiosyncratic.) Were I to be impatient with someone, I'm most likely to remind myself that I am generally not an impatient person, and I know I get that way when I'm under stress. I resolve to address directly the things that are causing me stress, that I'm not naturally a stressed-out hurried person--this resolution helps a lot to reduce the dissonance.