Focus Topic: Self as it relates to cognitive dissonance, particularly when behaviors and attitudes do not align.
Objective: Discuss ways to change attitudes to align with behaviors for improved self-perception, and to identify alternative coping mechanisms for dissonance.
Overview of Cognitive Dissonance
Definition of Cognitive Dissonance:
Theory in social psychology that explains the discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting attitudes or when there is a mismatch between attitudes and behaviors.
Discomfort may manifest as feelings of immorality, ignorance, or general malaise.
Originator: Leon Festinger (name noted for curiosity, not required for understanding).
Mechanisms of Dissonance Reduction
Initial Awareness: The individual must recognize the presence of dissonance.
Methods to Reduce Dissonance:
Change in Attitude: Altering one's beliefs to align with one’s behavior.
Change in Behavior: Modifying one's behavior to match the initial attitude.
Change in Cognition: Adjusting thoughts or beliefs without necessarily changing the underlying attitude.
Study Example: University of Alberta Essay Experiment
Purpose of Study: Examine how students could change feelings of dissonance after writing an essay advocating for early class start times (6:30 AM).
Hypothesis: It was estimated that students would have a negative attitude towards early start times.
Findings:
Students who argued for the 6:30 AM class in their essays shifted their attitudes to become more favorable toward the class time as a strategy to reduce dissonance.
Cognitive restructuring happened through self-justification; they convinced themselves starting early might have benefits.
Experimental Twist with Drug Manipulation
Two Groups:
Control Group: Believed the 'drug' would enhance performance without side effects.
Experimental Group: Believed the drug caused anxiety and discomfort.
Outcome:
Those who perceived discomfort as stemming from the drug were less likely to change their attitude than those who attributed discomfort to the essay’s demands.
Attitude and Behavior Change
Attitude Change: Easier when there’s no strong opposition to a change (some students mildly opposed early classes could shift attitudes more readily).
Behavior Alternatives:
Students could decline to participate (writing in favor) or could convey objections against the change.
Cognitive Change:
Adding coping thoughts, like believing they could become morning people or would have more time for other activities without fundamentally changing their negative view of early mornings.
The Complexity of Attitudes, Cognitions, and Behaviors
Definition Clarification:
Attitudes are evaluations (positive, negative, mixed) while cognitions are thoughts or beliefs without evaluative nature.
Misalignment Examples: Situations where attitudes and cognition seem to overlap but serve different functions in dissonance resolution.
Application of Cognitive Dissonance Theory: Smoking Example
Scenario: Smokers experience cognitive dissonance due to the health risks associated with smoking (cancer warnings, etc.).
Dissonance Reduction Strategies:
Change Attitude: Reducing the perceived severity of smoking’s health risks.
Change Behavior: Minimizing smoking frequency or creating situations where smoking appears less harmful.
Change Cognition: Justifying smoking through rationalizations (e.g., socializing, stress relief).
Discussion and Engagement Activities
Group Engagement:
Participants brainstormed methods smokers might utilize to alleviate dissonance in areas of attitudes, behaviors, and cognitions.
Key Insights from Cognitive Dissonance Research
Post Decision Dissonance: The discomfort following a choice between alternatives leading to justification of chosen decisions and devaluation of alternatives.
Example: Women rated an appliance higher post-selection after being forced to choose between two equally rated items.
Relation to Permanent Decisions: More permanent choices elicit stronger justification behaviors to mitigate regret and cognitive dissonance.
Self Justification and Justification of Effort
Self-Justification: Individuals tend to like something more if they have exerted significant effort to achieve or attain it.
Example: Students joined a boring group session more favorably if they had rigorous initiation rituals.
Counter-Attitudinal Behavior: Engaging in behaviors that contradict one's beliefs and the cognitive dissonance that ensues from these actions (e.g., telling a friend their band is good).
Ethical Dilemmas and Dissonance
Moral Displacement: Engaging in unethical actions may lead to rationalizations (e.g., cheating).
Hypocrisy Induction Example: Participants discussing beliefs on safe sex practices felt more dissonance when confronted with their own behavior that contradicted those beliefs, leading to increased safe behaviors.
Self Affirmation Theory
Definition: Involves bolstering self-regard by endorsing unrelated positive qualities if an individual's attitude cannot be changed.
Cross-Cultural Differences: Variability in dissonance experiences between Western individualistic cultures and Eastern collectivist cultures (e.g., Canadians versus Japanese participants).
Conclusion and Call to Action
Application: Understanding cognitive dissonance is crucial for personal growth, ethical behavior adjustment, and developing strategies to promote healthier lifestyle choices.
Further Research and Reflection: Engaging in research studies and applying cognitive dissonance to understand personal behaviors and societal norms.
Written Reflection Assignment
Assignment Overview:
Define cognitive dissonance and provide an example of personal experience.
Discuss how cognitive dissonance was dealt with in your experience.
Criteria for Success: Full understanding of the definition, clarity in example relation to cognitive dissonance, and thorough explanation of personal dissonance resolution strategies.