Cognitive dissonance theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

cognitive disturbance theory - Essay ExampleCognitive dissonance is a term employed to describe the state of having two or more conflicting cognitions simultaneously, as peopleexperience new information in the context of their pre-existing greetledge (Festinger 10). Individuals experience psychological excitation when they encounter information that challenges their beliefs or behavior. Discussion Cognitive dissonance theory pursues to explain how unmarrieds understate psychological discomfort and attain emotional equilibrium in the face of conflicting behaviors or beliefs. Cognitive dissonance theory (1957) holds that on that point are predictable responses that shape individuals experience of discomfort or dissonance. Festinger advanced that if the new events or information support the pre-held beliefs, then the individual feels supported as the fresh stimuli is in harmony with the individuals prior knowledge, referred to as a state of consonance. Individuals whitethorn own the information as accurate but decline to make changes individuals may also accept the information as accurate and make appropriate changes (Festinger 12). Similarly, individuals may attack the messenger as incredible, or rationalize the information in a manner that relieves the discomfort. The theory of cognitive dissonance in communication purposes that a communicator carries around a wealthy assortment of cognitive elements such as attitudes, knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors. Cognitions, in this case, percentage point bits of knowledge in their simplest form pertaining variety of thoughts, facts, attitudes, behaviors, perceptions, emotions, and values. Thus, people experience the pressure to change when undertaking things that they know are uncomfortable for them. What is consonant or inharmonious for one individual may not needs be the case for another person. This hinges fundamentally on what is lucid or inconsistent within an individuals psychological system. The co gnitive elements that people hold act as an interrelated system whereby each element (cognitions) relate to one another in three ways null or irrelevant, consistent or consonant, and dissonant/inconsistent relationship (Festinger 14). Cognitive system in this case represents a motley interrelating set of beliefs, values, and attitudes that influence and affect behavior. When dissonance occurs, individuals may change their behavior, justify their behavior by fastener the conflicting cognition, or justify their behavior by adding fresh cognitions. Festinger noted that the experience of dissonance hinges on three factors the number of consonant elements, the number of dissonant elements, and the significance of each element (Perry 154). A solid dissonant beliefresults to a considerable cognitive dissonant compared to a less significant dissonant belief. Dissonance produces a tension or stress, which in turn creates pressure to change whereby the higher(prenominal) the dissonance, t he higher the pressure to change. Tension reduction is automatically pursued by altering ones evaluations by a certain degree. An individual opts to downplay the other so as to assure him/herself. In instances where there is dissonance, individuals attempt to minimize it, besides tending to avoid circumstances that cause additional dissonance. Leon Festinger (1919-1990) Leon Festinger was a genial psychologist whoadvanced that individuals often experience a distressing mental state when they undertake things that contradict their opinions, or what they know. The