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Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development pp 380–381Cite as

Cognitive Dissonance

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Definition

Cognitive dissonance is an experience in which individual’s encounter psychological discomfort when they simultaneously have thoughts that are in conflict with each other. Cognitive dissonance often serves as a motivational force as it often drives them to seek to reduce discomfort.

Description

Leon Festinger, a social psychologist, is the originator of this theory and presented it in his first book on the matter in 1957 [3]. Since then he has done more research on the matter and provided a foundation for later studies in social psychology. According to Festinger, individuals seek to have psychological consistency such that thoughts, beliefs, values and actions usually coincide and are supported by each other. This experience is termed cognitive consonance and allows for mental equilibrium. Equilibrium, a condition in which there is balance, allows for harmony, and low levels of anxiety, discomfort, shame or guilt. Unconsciously individuals aim to function in this manner....

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References

  1. Aronson, E. (1997). Back to the future: A retrospective review of Leon Festinger’s, “a theory of cognitive dissonance”. American Journal of Psychology, 110, 127–137.

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  2. Brehm, J., & Cohen, A. (1962). Explorations in cognitive dissonance. New York and London: Wiley.

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  3. Festinger, L. (1957). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Evanston, IL: Row, Peterson.

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  4. Festinger, L. (1962). A theory of cognitive dissonance. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University Press.

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  5. Starzyk, K. B., Fabrigar, L. R., & Soryal, A. S. (2009). Reminder: The role of level and salience of attitude importance in cognitive dissonance. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin Jan, 35(1), 126–137.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology, Fordham University,  , NY, USA

    Norissa Atingdui

Authors
  1. Norissa Atingdui
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Correspondence to Norissa Atingdui .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Neurology, Learning and Behavior Center, 230 South 500 East, Suite 100, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84102, USA

    Sam Goldstein Ph.D.

  2. Department of Psychology MS 2C6, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA

    Jack A. Naglieri Ph.D. (Professor of Psychology) (Professor of Psychology)

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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Atingdui, N. (2011). Cognitive Dissonance. In: Goldstein, S., Naglieri, J.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79061-9_599

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