It is a mechanism that alerts us when we are not acting in line with our beliefs, attitudes, or plans. Dissonance can also be experienced vicariously through people of a social group that we identify with. When they act inconsistently with their attitude, we feel the same cognitive dissonance treatment discomfort as if we had acted inconsistently with our attitude ourselves (Cooper, 2016).
Immersive Therapy
Researchers focusing on induced compliance assume that dissonance reduction is a function of the importance of the dissonant cognitions (e.g., Hardyck Halfway house and Kardush, 1968; Leippe and Eisenstadt, 1999). For unimportant cognitions, simply forgetting about it would be the predicted outcome. For moderately important cognitions, people might change their attitude, while for highly important cognitions the predicted outcome would be mental restructuring (e.g., reaffirming one’s original viewpoint via attitude bolstering). 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.
Real Experiences
- Whether it’s a friend, family member, or a mental health professional, sharing your thoughts can provide support and insight.
- By exploring strategies to resolve cognitive dissonance, individuals can mitigate mental discomfort and move towards greater cognitive consistency in their beliefs and behaviors.
- In this blog, we will explore what cognitive dissonance is, how it begins, its impact on our lives, and how therapy can facilitate positive change.
- His research helped us understand this bias and gave valuable insights into otherwise perplexing, irrational, and even detrimental human behavior.
- According to Rafti (2019), narrative therapy fits well with the therapists’ arsenal of tools, including, among other approaches, the structured-negotiation model, transformative model, and facilitative mediation.
- It was proven that individuals tend to look for some sort of stability and dependability with their attitudes, perceptions, and thoughts.
At times, victims may rationalize the situation by minimizing, making excuses, justifying, or downplaying their partner’s hurtful actions. He originally was researching people who were members of a cult who believed in unusual things. Cognitive dissonance theory elucidates human behavior by suggesting that individuals have an inherent bias to seek harmony between their expectations and reality. His research helped us understand this bias and gave valuable insights into otherwise perplexing, irrational, and even detrimental human behavior. However, it’s crucial to remember that addressing cognitive dissonance in addiction isn’t a DIY project.
A Note on Cognitive Dissonance in Relationships
- The psychological discomfort experienced during this process can lead to significant internal conflict as individuals weigh the pros and cons of each option.
- However, as the situation evolves the individual understands that it might be in his/her best interest to find a way to resolve the dissonant situation (see Kato, 2012, on changing coping strategies).
- Rather, it’s about learning to recognize these conflicts, understand their impact, and find ways to resolve them that align with our authentic selves.
Imagine a song played with the wrong notes – that’s how it feels when our thoughts and behaviors don’t align. This is what cognitive dissonance is, but it’s not a dead end; it’s an invitation to grow. For instance, when faced with a choice between two equally appealing options, individuals may experience cognitive dissonance as they weigh the pros and cons of each option. These levels of care offer structured interventions for those struggling with cognitive dissonance and related mental health concerns. Moreover, this allowed children to shift their moral obligation to one of self-agency, based on family interdependence, both inside and outside their family lives (Brand et al., 2017; O’Hara et al., 2019; Stokkebekk, Iversen, Hollekim, et al., 2019).