cognitive dissonance

is a description of the state of one cognition following not from another cognition, but from the converse of another cognition.

A deceptively simple cognitive consistency theory, first proposed in 1957 by the US psychologist Leon Festinger (1919-89), concerned with the effects of inconsistent cognitions interpreted as items of knowledge or belief. If one of a pair of cognitions follows from the other, then the two are consonant... if one follows from the converse of the other, then they are dissonant... and if neither follows from the other or from its converse, then they are irrelevant to each other. [. . . ]' Colman (2001), Oxford Dictionary of Psychology

is a fundamental experience, playing a crucial role in the construction, negotiation and reconstruction of meaning, both for individuals and for a social community.

Festinger (1957) sees cognitive dissonance as the fundamental experience that plays a crucial role in the construction, negotiation and reconstruction of meaning, both for individuals and for a social community.

is a psychologically uncomfortable experience whereby an actor reduces the discomfort, not by conforming to new information, but by avoiding and discrediting information that increases the dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance is psychologically uncomfortable for an individual. As a consequence, actors will endeavour to reduce such discomfort, not by conforming to new information, but by avoiding and discrediting information that increases the dissonance (Jervis 1976: 383).

is a theory of human motivation that asserts that it is psychologically uncomfortable to hold contradictory cognitions. The theory is that dissonance, being unpleasant, motivates a person to change his cognition, attitude, or behavior.

Cognitive dissonance is a theory of human motivation that asserts that it is psychologically uncomfortable to hold contradictory cognitions. The theory is that dissonance, being unpleasant, motivates a person to change his cognition, attitude, or behavior.' The Skeptic's Dictionary (2005)

is an arousing state whereby attitudes change in order to decrease arousal.

Zanna and Cooper (1974) argued that cognitive dissonance is an arousing state and that attitudes change in order to decrease arousal.

is an emotional state set up when two simultaneously held attitudes or cognitions are inconsistent or when there is a conflict between belief and overt behavior.

cognitive dissonance An emotional state set up when two simultaneously held attitudes or cognitions are inconsistent or when there is a conflict between belief and overt behaviour. The resolution of the conflict is assumed to serve as a basis for attitude change, in that belief patterns are generally modified so as to be consistent with behaviour.' cognitive dissonance theory Leon Festinger's theory of attitude change based on the notion that we are motivated to adjust our attitudes to relieve COGNITIVE DISSONANCE. Also called dissonance theory.

is an uncomfortable feeling caused by simultaneously holding two contradictory cognitions. These cognitions may be attitudes and beliefs or awareness of one's own behavior.

In the seminal contribution A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957), Festinger defines cognitive dissonance as an uncomfortable feeling caused by simultaneously holding two contradictory cognitions. These cognitions may be attitudes and beliefs or awareness of one's own behavior.

is associated with increased sympathetic tonus, but is driven by negative affect rather than feelings of arousal.

In a test of this hypothesis, Losch and Cacioppo found that cognitive dissonance was associated with increased sympathetic tonus, but they also demonstrated that the resulting attitude change was driven by negative affect rather than feelings of arousal.

cognitive dissonance, n.All

cognitive dissonance