Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Who was Leon Festinger?

A social psychologist known for his work on consistency and dissonance.

What is the fundamental premise of Festinger's theory?

Human beings have a strong desire to behave and think consistently.

What does inconsistency create according to Festinger?

Dissonance or mental stress.

How can inconsistency be used in social influence?

It can be a useful tactic for persuasion.

What motivates individuals to reduce dissonance?

The desire to increase consistency.

What are cognitive elements in Festinger's theory?

Thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors.

What are the three ways to reduce dissonance?

Change one of the dissonant elements, add consonant elements, or change the importance of cognitive elements.

What is an example of changing a dissonant element?

Stopping smoking when recognizing that smoking kills.

What does the term 'selective exposure' refer to?

The tendency to seek out information that reduces dissonance and avoid information that increases it.

What is the Minimal Justification Paradigm?

Doing things with little external reward creates dissonance, which is reduced by increasing internal justification.

What are the implications of cognitive dissonance for persuasion?

Avoid offering hefty rewards; instead, offer just enough to induce compliance, encouraging internal justification.

What psychological discomfort do people experience according to Festinger?

Discomfort from conflicting beliefs and behaviors.

What is the significance of decision processes in reducing dissonance?

Close call decisions can cause internal tension, especially when the decision is important.

How can one increase the attractiveness of a decision to reduce dissonance?

By emphasizing the positive aspects of the chosen option.

What is a potential benefit of creating dissonance in a persuasive context?

It can induce behavior change by making individuals reassess their beliefs.

What does the 'magnitude of dissonance' depend on?

The proportion of dissonant elements and the importance of those elements.

What is a way to revoke decisional dissonance?

By reversing the decision made.

What can happen when professors work in low-paying jobs with heavy teaching loads?

They may experience dissonance and seek to justify their choice positively.

What is the objective of evaluating cognitive dissonance?

To understand and manage the psychological discomfort caused by conflicting beliefs and behaviors.