The phrase “cognitive dissonance” is probably on everyone’s lips. However, not every individual knows what it is. How would you react to the fact if I say that every person, regardless of age, has experienced this state many times in his life to a greater or lesser extent?
Are you interested, dear reader? Then I propose to move on to reading the main material of this article and forever understand for yourself what cognitive dissonance is. And also how is it dangerous and whether it is dangerous; how to cope with it, and again whether it is necessary.
Description of the phenomenon
First of all, I would like to clarify the meaning of the term “cognitive”. In our case, we are talking about the mental processes of a person that provide us with rational knowledge. That is, the cognitive components of the mind are:
- memory,
- Attention,
- thinking,
- perception,
- understanding,
- actions,
- thoughts.
Speaking exaggeratedly, this is the knowledge, skills and abilities of a person that provide him with a comfortable life in society and with himself (but more on that later). Thus, we can say that in the aggregate it is our ability to live.
For example, citizen Petrov maintains his own budget. He knows that this month he had unforeseen expenses, which slightly shaken him, but here his friends offer to go and unwind. Petrov considers his funds and realizes that the trip is canceled, otherwise he will not be able to pay the rent. That is, using all the cognitive processes, he made an intelligent decision.
Dissonance is a mismatch. Then cognitive dissonance is a mismatch of mental processes. For example, experience and perception, motives and beliefs. Or, to put it more simply, a violation of the mental balance. The most common inconsistencies are “want / don’t want” and “should”.
In the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance, several support points can be distinguished that simplify the understanding of this phenomenon:
- Inconsistency or inconsistency of two components (thoughts, beliefs, decisions, and so on).
- A contradiction can arise only between the links of the same chain, that is, both states have a common subject (problem). For example, “I have to visit my relative, but I do not want to do this, because I cannot forgive him for an old offense.” Or the mental anguish that it was necessary to go when everything has already been done (date omitted). The subject (problem) is a relative. The conflicting elements are personal desires and social attitudes.
- Understanding the contradiction that has arisen, the person begins to experience mental discomfort (“I don’t know what to do. I am literally torn apart by not understanding what would be the best way to act” – familiar, isn’t it?).
- After realizing the imbalance, the search for a solution begins. The solution is to change one of the conflicting components.
- The original theory speaks of “adjusting” personal attitudes and attitudes to an already accomplished action. However, the modern understanding of the phenomenon of mental contradiction does not exclude the opposite.
Several factors increase the inconsistency: subjectivity (the consequences should be unpleasant or unacceptable for the person himself), publicity, the person’s recognition of responsibility for the undesirable result of his actions. The latter is worth explaining.
Imagine a person suffering from alcoholism but trying to quit. In case of breakdowns, he does not refer to a dysfunctional childhood, but recognizes his own weakness of willpower. A person without internal responsibility (control) cannot develop cognitive dissonance. To put it simply, he will always find an excuse for himself.
In the original theory of cognitive dissonance, the leading role was assigned to self-belief, the relationship between attitudes and human behavior.
According to the author of the theory, behavior can influence attitudes in exactly the same way as attitudes on behavior. Example: “I have done this more than once, the meaning is to change something. Especially if he (she) still considers me a scoundrel. “
So, cognitive dissonance can arise against the background of a lie, deception, or a mean act. That is, this is a feeling of shame and disrespect for what a person has done to himself after committing an immoral (by personal standards) act.
An example of a little dissonance is a deceitful phrase. To resolve this conflict is simple – to tell the truth. A more dangerous variant of dissonance is clearly described by the following situation.
- The police officer had to shoot the child during the operation.
- Or such a case: a repeatedly convicted Nazi (a fascist as a member of the subculture) was admitted to the hospital. On the one hand, medical workers took the Hippocratic oath and cannot allow a person (whoever he is) to die, on the other, he killed many people and will probably do it again and again. Whatever decision the doctor makes, the likelihood of developing dissonance is high.
- It is not easy for those people whose profession is related to keeping secrets. For example, the work of a psychologist. Tormented by internal contradictions, a person can visit a psychologist and “throw” his torment on him. But what if we are talking about multiple murders or an impending terrorist attack? What should a psychologist do with this information? On the one hand, there is a privacy code and rule, and on the other, a civic duty. Alas, cognitive dissonance is inevitable.
But it is not only in a professional situation that a “suspended” state arises. Nobody is immune from it. If after reading the previous material, you are convinced that you are experiencing a state of internal disagreement, then read on for how to resolve this situation.
How is it solved
There are several ways to alleviate or completely eliminate cognitive dissonance. Previously, it is worth clarifying that dissonance can be both an intrapersonal contradiction and an intergroup or between a group and an individual. So what can you do:
- Acceptance of one’s own actions (or group actions) and changing personal beliefs (changing attitudes towards the situation).
- Changing the environment (breaking up with friends if their behavior does not match your beliefs).
- Changing your own behavior in accordance with previous attitudes.
However, it is not enough to want to overcome the contradiction. On the way to psychological harmony, there can be a number of obstacles to this:
- losses from behavior change (breaking when getting rid of addiction, financial losses when changing jobs with a tyrant boss, but good pay);
- an ambivalent attitude towards one’s own behavior or the need to change the situation (they began to cook poorly in the cafe, but they do not want to part with friends, and they, in turn, do not want to change the location);
- the impossibility of changing behavior (often a contradiction arises against the background of the characteristics of temperament (properties of the psyche), which cannot be changed, or other psychophysiological characteristics);
- the impossibility of changing external circumstances, the environment (for example, you regretted selling the house, but the new owner does not want to conclude a reverse transaction).
If it is impossible to change the conditions of the life task, then all that remains is to change your attitude. “If you cannot change the situation, change your attitude towards it.” Sound familiar? This is the way to achieve inner agreement. Well, if you can change the situation, then change it!
Food for thought and conclusions
So, cognitive dissonance is a specific version of the conflict that arises in a situation of choice and is resolved through a change in the worldview (beliefs) of a person or vice versa of actions. Finally, I want to acquaint you with a few interesting facts on the topic.
- The theory of cognitive dissonance belongs to the American psychologist Leon Festinger. If you are interested in a more in-depth and scientific explanation of the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance, then you can refer to the author’s primary source (“Theory of cognitive dissonance” / “A theory of cognitive dissonance”).
- It has been experimentally proven that alcohol prevents and eliminates the feeling of internal imbalance. It is from here that the proverb that “you need to drink” in a difficult situation follows. However, dear reader, it should be understood that drinking will not solve the problem (along with sobriety, dissonance will return). But this fact explains many stories of people sinking to the social bottom. Under certain properties of the psyche and external circumstances, a person with an internal conflict can get bogged down in addictive (dependent) behavior that destroys the personality.
- The phrase “What a sober man has in his head, a drunk man has on his tongue” has also been experimentally proven. Some people use alcohol as a means to be themselves and not feel the inner discomfort, and then say, “I was drunk.”
- Cognitive dissonance is a controversial phenomenon. So, among sectarians or members of any small groups, it can be caused by the usual behavior in the generally accepted understanding. For example, according to the law of a criminal group, one cannot leave witnesses, but one of its members violated this principle. Then he experiences an internal contradiction.
- The extent of cognitive dissonance can vary and is not always understood unambiguously by different people. For example, a breakdown from a diet (just one candy) can cause a real imbalance in a girl, but the phrase “this is just candy, don’t suffer foolishness” from the outside.
- Through numerous cognitive dissonances, personality changes (regression or progress) occur. The more often a person changes his beliefs in accordance with his actions, the easier it is to repeat these actions over and over again. This fact is equally true both in relation to the “fall” of the personality, and in terms of re-education. For example, it is easier to lie with each situation, but it is also easier for an inveterate liar to tell the truth if he realizes that it brings more positive results for him personally.
- Sometimes there are three components involved in cognitive dissonance: beliefs, knowledge, and actual behavior. Example: I know that smoking is harmful, but I continue, although I want to quit.
- Often, after the onset of cognitive dissonance, it is no longer a question of the rationality of behavior, but of manipulations to explain it logically.
- As a rule, a person comes up with arguments not only in favor of the chosen option, but also against the rejected ones.
Thus, cognitive dissonance is an internal contradiction of motives, needs, actions and beliefs. Mainly arises in a situation of choice. It is eliminated by weighing all the pros and cons for each option and convincing oneself in one’s own righteousness (if the choice has already been made) or by changing the conditions that cause a mismatch in the cognitive sphere of the individual.
And finally, one more thing. Remember at the beginning of this article I promised to say whether cognitive dissonance is dangerous? To a certain extent, yes. And why is it dangerous? Internal anxiety, tension, irritability, depression, apathy, aggression and other negative psychological states. They, in turn, can cause deterioration in relationships with family, at work, in love; the formation of bad habits; personality degradation and so on (accumulate additional problems like a snowball, including psychosomatic ones). Therefore, it is necessary to fight this state. But as? Right! Change yourself or the environment. Well, this issue requires a detailed study of a specific case.
Mental health to you and the absence of cognitive dissonances! Thank you for your attention.
