Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Justification

These flashcards cover the key concepts from the lecture on cognitive dissonance, self-justification, and related psychological phenomena.

Cognitive Dissonance

A psychological phenomenon where conflicting beliefs or behaviors create a sense of discomfort, leading individuals to justify or rationalize their actions.

Self-Justification

The process of rationalizing one's actions, often to alleviate feelings of guilt or cognitive dissonance.

Irrevocable Decisions

Choices perceived as permanent that lead people to emphasize the positive aspects of the chosen option.

Foot in the Door Technique

A psychological strategy where a small initial request is followed by a larger request, leading to greater compliance.

Justification of Effort

A cognitive bias where individuals enhance their perception of an effort or outcome based on the difficulty of achieving it.

System Justification

The psychological process where people rationalize and maintain the existing social, economic, and political systems, often leading to the perpetuation of inequality.

Narcissism

A personality trait characterized by excessive self-importance, a need for admiration, and a lack of empathy, often masking fragile self-esteem.

Dehumanization

The psychological process of perceiving others as less than human, often leading to justification of cruelty towards them.

Hypocrisy Paradigm

A method used to change behavior by making individuals aware of the inconsistency between their beliefs and actions.

Stockholm Syndrome

A psychological phenomenon where hostages develop positive feelings towards their captors, often rooted in survival instincts.