Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance: this is the uncomfortable mental state individuals find themselves in when there are two conflicting thoughts; this feeling can intensify if the subject which the thoughts are associated with is particularly important to the individual, as well as the strength of the two conflicting thoughts. It is strongest when it is concerning one’s own self-image, such as when an individual questions the morality of a particular decision (changingminds.org).
Leon Festinger first began work on the theory in the 1950s. By 1957, he had put together his theory to explain the state of mental discomfort when one is faced with conflicting decisions or thoughts (changingminds.org; socialemotiveneuroscience.org).
Click here to view a lecture given by Professor Gordon Graham about cognitive dissonance.
