cognitive dissonance

Question 1

define cognitive dissonance

Answer 1

mental stress or discomfort experienced by holding 2 contradictory beliefs

Question 2

what are the 3 effects on behaviour

Answer 2

avoidance, reduction, rationalisation

Question 3

avoidance

Answer 3

people are inclined to avoid encountering situations and new information that could increase cognitive dissonance

Question 4

reduction

Answer 4

to experience a balance, individuals aim to reduce cognitive dissonance

Question 5

rationalisation

Answer 5

individuals experiencing cognitive dissonance tend to rationalise and justify their behaviour

Question 6

magnitude

Answer 6

• the level of discomfort an individual feels when they experience cognitive dissonance
• the greater the magnitude the greater the pressure to reduce it
• it is subjective

Question 7

what are the 2 factors affecting cognitive dissonance

Answer 7

• value of conflicting cognitions
• maximum level of dissonance an individual can manage

Question 8

how do people reduce dissonance?

Answer 8

when there is an inconsistency, either a belief, action or perception needs to chance to reduce dissonance

Question 9

eg of reducing dissonance

Answer 9

staying up to watch another episode of TV — dissonance — changed perception (7 hours of sleep is fine) — less dissonance