What is cognitive dissonance?
Discord between behavior and belief. The distressing mental state caused by inconsistency between a persons two beliefs of a belief and an action
What are the 3 mental mechanisms people use to ensure their actions and attitudes?
- Selective exposure prevents dissonance
- Post decision dissonance creates a need for reassurance
- minimal justification for action induces attitude change
What is selective exposure?
Tendency to avoid information that would create cognitive dissonance because it is incompatible with their current beliefs
What is post decision dissonance?
Strong doubts experienced after making an important, close-call decision that is difficult to reverse (examples: Elon musk is a jerk but he makes a great car)
What is minimal justification?
The best way to stimulate an attitude change in others is to offer just enough incentive to elect counter attitudinal behavior.
