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Cognitive Dissonance

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The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Strategic Management

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Abstract

Cognitive dissonance theory has a long history in psychology, but has been sparsely examined in the economics literature. It can help answer several questions of practical significance, such as: what causes the formation of social underclass (Oxoby R, Econ J 114:727–749, 2004)? When does preaching morality increase immoral behaviour (Rabin M, J Econ Behav Organ 23:177–194, 1994)? Should the government regulate hazardous industries to ensure worker safety (Akerlof G, Dickens W, Am Econ Rev 72:307–319, 1982)? In this entry, we provide an overview of Festinger’s original formulation (1957), outline the subsequent revisions to cognitive dissonance theory and review the related economics literature.

This entry was originally published on Palgrave Connect under ISBN 978-1-137-49190-9. The content has not been changed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Fuqua School of Business, 1 Towerview Drive, Durham, NC, USA

    Wilfred Amaldoss

  2. Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Huihui Wang

Authors
  1. Wilfred Amaldoss
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  2. Huihui Wang
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Correspondence to Wilfred Amaldoss .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Stanford University , Stanford, California, USA

    Mie Augier

  2. Tusher Ctr Intellectual Capital, University of California Tusher Ctr Intellectual Capital, Berkeley, California, USA

    David J. Teece

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© 2016 The Author(s)

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Amaldoss, W., Wang, H. (2016). Cognitive Dissonance. In: Augier, M., Teece, D. (eds) The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Strategic Management. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-94848-2_311-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-94848-2_311-1

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-94848-2

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