Question

Briefly describe the concept of cognitive dissonance. When does it occur and what are its consequences/effects?

Answer 1

As per theory of cognitive dissonance, it is a situation which causes mental discomfort in a person's behaviour and belief do not keep in confirmity with each other or two beliefs contradict with one another. The other causes of cognitive dissonance are type and value of belief, degree of disparity.

Cognitive dissonance is a situation and occurs when there is conflict in attitudes, beahaviour and beliefs. This increases the level of mental discomfort which changes one of the causes leading to discomfort.and keeps imbalance. When one can keep balance in terms of their behaviour, attitudes and belief and there is no imbalance in such action then only cognitive dissonance can change to consistency. For instance if a smoker is always in awe that if he smokes then it would lead to cancer. This leads to imbalance in his attitudes attitude, behaviour and beliefs.

Cognitive dissonance has the effect which causes one to feel discomfort and unease. It effects person's behaviour, thought, decisions,attitude, beliefs and mental health. They become anxious, guilty about a situation involving themselves which causes ashamed about themselves. This causes the person to hide their actions, walk away from conversations, aviod learning new things and prohibit from doing research and reading newspapers and articles.