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Cognitive Dissonance - Coggle Diagram
Cognitive Dissonance
The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance
Most people believe they are above average—more ethical and competent, better drivers, better leaders, better judges of character, and more attractive than the majority (Brown, 2012; Fine, 2008; Gilovich, 1991).
But if most of us see ourselves as reasonable, moral, and smart, what happens when we are confronted with information implying that we have behaved in ways that are unreasonable, immoral, or stupid?
When Cognitions Conflict
The discomfort that people feel when two cognitions (beliefs, attitudes) conflict, or when they behave in ways that are inconsistent with their conception of themselves.
Changing our behavior to bring it in line with the dissonant cognition. (change action)
Attempting to justify our behavior through changing one of the dissonant cognitions. (change belief)
Attempting to justify our behavior by adding new cognitions. (change action perception)
One of methods to add cognitions
Self affirmation
In the context of dissonance theory, a way of reducing dissonance by reminding oneself of one or more of one’s positive attributes.
Dissonance & Self Concept
People with high self-esteem are more motivated to reduce dissonance caused by a blow to their self-worth than people who have low self-esteem.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Post-decision Dissonance
Dissonance aroused after making a decision, typically reduced by enhancing the attractiveness of the chosen alternative and devaluating the rejected alternatives.
Dissonance, Culture and the Brain
Dissonance operating in almost every part of the world but it does not always take the same form, and the content of the cognitions that produce it may differ across cultures.
In “collectivist” societies, dissonance-reducing behavior might be less prevalent, at least on the surface
but more likely to see people experiencing dissonance when their behavior shames or disappoints others.
we’d be more likely to find behavior aimed at maintaining group harmony and less likely to see people justifying their own personal misbehavior
Self-Justification in Everyday Life
The Justification of Effort
The tendency for individuals to increase their liking for something they have worked hard to attain
•Stronger attachment once this justification is made.
External Justification vs Internal Jusification
External
A process to find a reason or an explanation for dissonant personal behavior that resides outside the individual
Internal
The reduction of dissonance by changing something about oneself
Counterattitudinal Advocacy
: Stating an opinion or attitude that contradicts to one’s private belief or attitude.
Punishment and Self-Persuasion
Insufficient punishment leads to self persuasion
A long-lasting form of attitude change that results from attempts at self-justification
The Forbidden Toy Experiment
The Hypocrisy Paradigm
The arousal of dissonance by having individuals make statements that run counter to their behaviors and then reminding them of the inconsistency between what they advocated and their behavior. The purpose is to lead individuals to more responsible behavior.
Justifying Good Deeds & Harmful Acts
The Ben Franklin Effect: Justifying Acts of Kindness
we justify our actions to ourselves by assuming that we did the person a favor because we like them
Dehumanizing The Enemy: Justifying Cruelty
It is to persuade themselves that those people are not humans or on the same level like them, thus they deserve it