What does cognitive dissonance refer to?

Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort that arises from holding two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. When individuals find themselves in a situation where their beliefs are inconsistent with their actions or with other beliefs, it creates a state of mental tension or discomfort. This feeling prompts individuals to seek a resolution, often by changing one of the conflicting beliefs or attitudes to restore harmony.

For example, if someone values health but smokes cigarettes, they may experience cognitive dissonance due to the conflict between their behavior (smoking) and their belief (valuing health). To alleviate this discomfort, the individual might quit smoking, downplay the risks associated with smoking, or alter their beliefs about health.

This concept is significant in understanding human behavior, as it highlights the importance of consistency in our beliefs and actions and how we might change our perceptions to achieve that consistency.