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Arguments for cognitive dissonance
Cognitive dissonance and its effects on our lives
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Have you ever wondered how your mind comes up with decisions and how it works the way it does? Maybe that question is too deep for you, but the answer is really in this simple theory called cognitive dissonance. [ADD STORY OR ANECDOTE] Cognitive Dissonance has a powerful influence over our actions or behaviors, which essentially means the decisions that we make. It affects us in so many aspects of our lives, and as students, we have to make little decisions every day. I chose this topic as I lack decisiveness and usually find myself looking to others to make decisions for me. This theory has brought up some interesting examples and reasons for why me and so many other young adults suffer from this state of cognitive inconsistency. WHAT IS
American social psychologist and original developer of the theory of Cognitive Dissonance Leon Festinger breaks down his theory into two main parts. First, the presence of dissonance, inconsistency or unpleasantness, will psychologically motivate a person to achieve consonance, consistency or pleasantness (Festinger 3). Psychologist Elliot Aronson, key researcher in the 20th century of this theory, expands on the definition of dissonance to be more straightforward. Dissonance occurs when a person holds two ideas, beliefs, or opinions at the same time that are contradictory with one and other. Part two of the theory states that a person will attempt to avoid situations or knowledge that would possibly or pro...
Cognitive dissonance is when an individual feels uncomfortable because they are a good person but they have chose to do a bad things. Instead of dealing with the consequences they ignore the situation. Cognitive dissonance can relate to Lords of the flies book on Chapter 9. The morning after the boys killed Simon thinking it was the
Cognitive dissonance is a communication theory mostly used in the field of social psychology in providing a theoretical framework in dealing with various issues relating to psychology. The title provides us with the concept that cognitive is thinking while dissonance is the inconsistency or conflict brought about. Cognitive dissonance manifests when one holds two or more incompatible beliefs simultaneously. This theory has been used and applied in several disciplines including communication, due to its simplicity and straightforwardness. The theory is commonly applied in these dynamic fields since it replaces previous conditioning or reinforcement theories by viewing individuals as more purposeful decision makers striving to acquire a balance in their beliefs. Cognitions are chunks or bits of knowledge which can pertain to any variety of values, emotions or values. These cognations can be related to one another or they can also be completely independent from each other (Cooper, 06). For instance, one may like to eat junk food, but may also be trying to lose weight. The two cognitions are related to each other in tha...
“Humans are not a rational animal, but a rationalizing one” (“Class 20”). This was asserted by the much acclaimed, significant, and influential social psychologist Leon Festinger as referencing to his theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Social psychology is “a branch of psychology particularly concerned with understanding social behaviors such as” incentive and compliance (Sheehy). Festinger’s contributions to the social and cognitive branches of psychology as well psychology overall prove themselves worthy to today. This theory specifically challenged many common notions that were seemingly already accepted by behaviorists everywhere during his time (Tavris and Aronson). Its reality awakens its verifications. Consecutively, its “enormous motivational power” affects many on a daily basis (Tavris and Aronson). In the final analysis, the theory of Cognitive Dissonance by Leon Festinger is fundamental to behaviorism while directly changing the way human beings across the planet think and do.
Our decision making skills are based upon the principle of deliberation, in which one weighs the advantages and disadvantages of all the options, and picks the one that would most benefit us and our needs at that particular point in time. This, however, does not constitute the act of free will, for it is based on one’s feelings. When one thinks that they are deliberating, they take into account only the external factors. For example, when a person breathes, they are not aware of the mental processes that take place. There may also be internal constraints that one does not consider, something imbedded deep in our psyche that one has no control over, thus the fact that people feel as if they are deliberating may often be an illusion. Evolutionary traits, such as the need to procreate and find food, are instinctual attributes that subconsciously motivate us to make choices. This can be seen in the case of a starving man stealing food from another in which to survive. He is faced with the options of starvation or the will to live, and intuitively chooses the continuation of his own mortality over death. The fact that he could of chosen deat...
People experience cognitive dissonance on a day-to-day basis at varying strengths. Think about the number of times that you have felt conflicted with a choice or in a situation in your life. Some choices or events weigh heavily on our consciousness because of the prominence of the decision that must be made, while others may be less significant. Think about an addiction you may have such as smoking, or chocolate candy. I love chocolate candy but face cognitive dissonance when I am faced with the choice of eating the chocolate and experiencing the delicious taste for five seconds but also the fact that I will gain weight because chocolate is very unhealthy for me. Similarly, I may be addicted to smoking and face cognitive dissonance when I am faced with the choice of smoking a cigarette and momentarily satisfying that craving but also the fact that it is extremely dangerous to my health and to the health of those I smoke around. Eating a piece of chocolate is not nearly as bad as smoking a cigarette, and it is evident that the significance of the dissonance varies from one decision to another. Regardless of the level of significance, we see that cognitive dissonance is a commonality that every person is faced with quite frequently. It is Leon Festinger’s Cognitive Dissonance Theory that explains why and how one can reduce cognitive dissonance in all aspects of his or her life, in association with varying levels and numbers of dissonant cognitions.
In our everyday lives we must face a number of decisions, whether it is something simple like what clothes to wear or a major ethical decision that can have a large impact in one’s life. We may not realize this but with every decision we make there are a number of factors that help determine our decisions. According to most psychologists the decision-making process involves recognizing, evaluating, deciding on, and executing an action to resolve the dilemma (Lincoln, S., & Holmes, E. K., 2010). While this decision process is occurring there elements, both internal and external, that are influencing our final decision. As we know our internal and external experiences, such as our morals and the people around us, mold the way we see things and think about certain aspects of life. As a result these aspects unconsciously help us determine what decisions we make on an everyday basis. .
Theoretical perspectives in the study of human behavior can easily be applied to cases in social work practice. The mental health field in particular lends itself to the application of different human behavior theories. Specifically, depression can be viewed through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory, or Social Cognitive Learning. There is one case of a woman with depression, whose name will be changed, that social cognitive theory can be applied to. Cheryl is a 58 year old woman who has been diagnosed with Major depressive disorder. She has had this diagnosis since she was 17 years old. Many of her symptoms and experiences can be viewed or explained in terms of social cognitive theory.
Decisions, decisions! So, what we do is come up with some justification for the choice we have made, even though we are already questioning our decision, even as we make it. When the choices are so close to being equal, does it real...
Humans are constantly making decisions during their daily life. According to Huffington Post, an average person makes around 35,000 decisions per day. From choosing which shirt to wear to important life decisions that have long-lasting effects, the decision-making process is very complex. There are mainly two types of decision-making methods. The first method is using intuition, which is taking a decision with one’s “gut” feeling or what it seems to be right without thinking about it logically. The second way of taking a decision is through reason, which carefully analyzing all the data and using logic to conclude to a decision, which is the go-to method when taking important lifelong decisions. Different areas of the brain are responsible
Walker, K., Nayda, I.T., Turner, J. (2003b) Make-Up Your Mind -- Improving Your Decision-Making Skills. Available from: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ [accessed 16/05/04]
When making a decision, how does one come up with the proper structure followed to reach a conclusion? Does one simply guess and take a risk, or does it take deeper consideration and thought? Logic, reasoning, and intuition commonly are set to oppose each other, but a possibility requiring great consideration is the fact that they tend to work together each time to produce better, more intelligent results. Primarily, reasoning displays high importance in the existence of logic. That connection between reasoning and logic is closely linked to intuition. Furthermore, a common misleading statement of a logical mind when referring to university choices, allows for the analysis of how all three parts affect decision making. Thus, although humans
For this week's discussion the theory that resonated with me the most is the Cognitive Behavioral Theory with Dr. Krumboltz. I have always been drawn to the CBT, as I feel that an individual's negative or destructive behaviors can be changed for the better with the right intervention, client understanding, acceptance and awareness of their role in their behavior. Dr. Krumboltz terms this as a learning approach (01:35). The video displays Dr. Krumboltz and his client Robin discussing the issues Robin is experiencing with her mother-in-law, as well as the impact those issues at times have on her marriage.
In life I have lived through numerous amounts of situations where I struggled with my decisions. As soon as I began high school, I was overwhelmed with questions and decisions that I had no clue on how to react to. Signing up for classes, taking tests, meeting deadlines, and making sure I passed were just a few of my problems. All of those things were easy tasks that I could successfully accomplish, but while doing those tasks I would find myself doubting each choice that I made.
The decisions can be very difficult to handle but we can overcome that obstacle. We make decisions at school, home, and work. As much as we want to avoid it, it will always be there test us. Making a choice in life has a huge impact on us in life. It teaches us a lesson, whether it’s good or bad, but we learn from it so we don’t make the same mistake again.