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Cognitive Dissonance In Social Psychology

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Cognitive Dissonance Regardless of context, whenever two or more variables contradict each other, it can create intense feelings of unease. This error in consistency can prompt one to feel confused, uncomfortable, and at times even angry. Though within the realm of social psychology, this general discomfort can be overwhelming when concerning the concept of cognitive dissonance. In short, cognitive dissonance is defined as a subsequent feeling of discomfort when faced with two contradictory cognitions, or when a newly formed cognition does not adhere to one’s self-concept. This leaves us to wonder, what path is taken to reduce this discomfort? The route we follow is often tarped with ambiguity, and in many instances the steps we take toward …show more content…

Festinger’s early advancements in social comparison (also coining the social comparison theory) led to the genesis of the term. Though the theory is still renowned among psychologists as one of the most important concepts within the field, there is still some debate of the term’s external validity. Nonetheless, most agree that the theory of cognitive dissonance is perfectly applicable to most social situations, and studying the theory further can aid us in making healthier decisions and help us create preventative measures against negative …show more content…

Though there is controversy toward the external validity of cognitive dissonance, I believe it to be entirely valid. It is easy to apply the concept to real-world, tangible situations, even if it’s difficult to employ it within experimental conditions. Furthermore, there are many situations that can be framed within the structure of cognitive dissonance, and elaborated on accordingly. Through further investigation into the mechanics of cognitive dissonance, I believe the psychological community can take proactive steps against malevolent behaviors, and further safeguard the public against these behaviors by spreading awareness of how cognitive dissonance can have such a profound influence on our self-concept and

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