Some scholars would probably disregard this point by considering that guilt or anger are forms of the CDS (Geschwender, 1967; Stice, 1992); however, most seem to consider the CDS to be a specific state, distinct from these other emotions (Elliot & Devine, 1994; Kenworthy et al., 2011). While this particular debate is beyond the scope of this article, cognitive dissonance addiction we invite consideration of the question. If the CDS is a specific state, then instruments should allow the CDS to be distinguished from other negative emotions. The analysis revealed that for some individuals, the emotional experience of the dissonant situation was predominantly characterized by either Anger, Anxiety/Fear or Self-consciousness.
Change your relationship with change: Get comfortable being uncomfortable
Note that the novel-familiar assessment in our model occurs at a higher-level of processing and is related to the regulatory process rather than the initial appraisal of the situation (i.e., the detection of dissonance). Similar to the process model (cf. Gross, 2014), we suggest that in the early part of the emotion-generation process, typical strategies are avoidance, escape (i.e., modification of the situation), or distraction. Furthermore, we argue that these dissonance-reduction strategies are most likely related to fear/anxiety reactions or anticipation of fear/anxiety (cf. LaBar, 2016), but also reactions related to anger (cf. Harmon-Jones and Harmon-Jones, 2016).
Challenge your beliefs
Negative consequences of cognitive dissonance reduction include procrastination or acting seemingly contrary to our values and beliefs. However, it can be beneficial to remind ourselves that it exists as a psychological safety mechanism to help us perceive the world consistently and to protect the perception we have about ourselves. Another common tactic of emotional abuse employed by individuals with narcissistic issues is “gaslighting.” This term was coined after a movie titled Gaslight (1944) in which a form of psychological abuse resulting in cognitive dissonance occurred for the main character, played by Ingrid Bergman.
An Overview of the Pleasure Arousal Dominance Model of Emotion
Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds two related but contradictory cognitions, or thoughts. In “A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance,” Leon Festinger (the psychologist who first described this phenomenon) gives an example of how a person might deal with dissonance related to a health behavior by discussing individuals who continue to smoke, even though they know it is harmful to their health. People who learn that greenhouse emissions result in global warming might experience feelings of dissonance if they drive a gas-guzzling vehicle. To reduce this dissonance, they may seek out new information that overrides the belief that greenhouse gasses contribute to global warming.
Adding More Beliefs to Outweigh Dissonant Beliefs
- This assessment occurs at low-level processing, in which the stimuli’s novelty (familiar or unfamiliar situation) and intrinsic meaning (intrinsic pleasantness or unpleasantness) are classified.
- Finally, many of the studies supporting the theory of cognitive dissonance have low ecological validity.
- Becoming aware of how conflicting beliefs impact the decision-making process is a great way to improve your ability to make faster and more accurate choices.
- If you took the job you would miss your loved ones; if you turned the job down, you would pine for the beautiful streams, mountains, and valleys.
And the research has shed further light on cognitive dissonance, its causes, and effects. To reduce their dissonance, the group members either dropped their original belief or adopted a new belief that their faith saved the earth. We benefit, though, from approaching these inconsistencies with curiosity and grace, even when we want to change them. Instead of feeling defensive, dig into the information that your response gives you. Understanding what caused the dissonance can help you figure out the best way to address it.
Furthermore, our emotional perspective also led to a novel categorization of dissonance-reduction strategies. Note that this demonstration is simply meant for the above-mentioned purpose (and thereby illustrating the feasibility of the emotion-regulation perspective)–not as a test of the model presented earlier. If the individual experiences high-arousal negative emotions such as anger, hostility, and/or frustration in a dissonant situation (e.g., after being asked to write a counter-attitudinal essay in the induced-compliance paradigm), attitude bolstering might be the most likely reduction strategy. Since these emotions are approach motivated, the individual will try to quickly find the external source of the emotions and extinguish this. Since the model is recursive, the subsequent emotion might be a feeling of satisfaction, for example when successfully standing up for oneself when someone (parent, spouse, boss, etc.) has induced you to behave in a way that contradicts your attitude/values. However, when such attempts to stand up for oneself in anger-dominated situations fail, the anger might be replaced by a depressed mood and avoidance behavior instead (see, e.g., Harmon-Jones and Harmon-Jones, 2016).
- To resolve cognitive dissonance, a person can aim to ensure that their actions are consistent with their values or vice versa.
- In 1956, psychologist Jack Brehm observed that when people are given a choice between two similar items, they tend to believe that the item they chose is objectively better.
- Several theorists have also pointed to motivations other than consonance restoration that may underlie dissonance reduction.
- After being accepted to each, you’re asked to freely rate the universities after considering each college’s pros and cons.
HYPOTHESIS AND THEORY article
Appraisal theories of emotion (e.g., Scherer, 2009; Moors et al., 2013) hold that the emotions following from a specific event are products of the cognitive evaluation of that situation. First, the individual makes a quick assessment of the stimuli’s relevance for ongoing goals. This assessment occurs at low-level processing, in which the stimuli’s novelty (familiar or unfamiliar situation) and intrinsic meaning (intrinsic pleasantness or unpleasantness) are classified.
According to Festinger, there are a few ways that a person might resolve this dissonance. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Here’s what you need to know about cognitive dissonance, and how to seek the proper care. These 17 Positive CBT & Cognitive Therapy Exercises [PDF] include our top-rated, ready-made templates for helping others develop more helpful thoughts and behaviors in response to challenges, while broadening the scope of traditional CBT. This offers opportunities to discuss the discrepancies, deepen the relationship, and re-align values. Conversely, we may justify or trivialize negative behavior or even end the relationship.
Toward a Pluralistic Approach
As this analysis was not pre-registered, we decided to keep the latter items in the analyses. The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by Håkan Fischer, Department of Psychology at Stockholm University. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study. Bizarre and toxic conspiracy theories flourish in this particular soil of frustration, dissatisfaction, and anger.
Concerning effort justification, Weick (1968) argues that the social context in which the dissonance occurs may determine the reduction strategy. For instance, dissonant behavior in the presence of friends and family (vs. alone) might bring about self-justification or vindication since the undoing of the dissonant behavior might be embarrassing. Within a developmental viewpoint, Kaplan and Crockett (1968) argue that cognitive complexity determines the reduction strategy.