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Festinger's theory on cognitive dissonance: what was good and what wasn't
Cognitive dissonance
Case study cognitive dissonance theory
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Article Summary #2
Marissa Marquez
Humboldt State University
Article Summary #2
Cognitive dissonance is defined as a state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes regarding behavioral decisions and attitude change (Festinger, 1957). In a study of cognitive dissonance, Festinger (1957) predicted that the larger the reward given to a subject, then the smaller the subsequent opinion will change. To test this prediction, Festinger (1957) gathered seventy-one male students from Stanford University that were enrolled in the psychology program. The goal of the study was to research the cognitive consequences of forced compliance.
For the experiment, Festinger (1957) informed the 71 subjects that the experiment was going to focus on the "Measures of Performance." (Festinger, 1957). The participants were asked to carry out series of monotonous tasks that were meant to be boring and repetitive. The subjects were asked specifically to put 12 spools onto and then off of a tray for half an hour, and then for the next half hour, turn square pegs clockwise in quarter turns, and then start all over again after 48 pegs. The subjects were divided into two groups, A and B. Group A was not given a description on the tasks they would be performing and Group B was. Group B was given a detailed description by an experimenter who tried to present it in a
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APA style provides for up to five heading levels, shown in the paragraphs that follow. Note that the word Introduction should not be used as an initial heading, as it’s assumed that your paper begins with an
A similar study that relates to The Milgram Experiment is The Dutch Study. Meeus and Raaijmakers, the inventors, study included an experimenter, the actual participant, and a confederate who was presented as being a job applicant. The participants were told by the experimenter to disturb the applicant as he was taking a test. Also, they were told if the job applicant failed the test he would become unemployed. The experimenter instructed that the participant make fifteen stress remarks to be detrimental to the job applicant 's performance. Now, if participants refused, they were given a series of four prods, similar to those in The Milgram Experiment. A control group was also added, and given the instructions to make negative remarks, but they were not told on how many. The result of The Dutch Study was, 91% of the experimental group made all fifteen remarks. But, none of the control group made it to all fifteen. Like Milgram, the participants did not like what they were doing, and gave much of the responsibility of what happened to the job applicant to the
Cognitive dissonance is when an individual feels uncomfortable because they are a good person but they have chose to do a bad things. Instead of dealing with the consequences they ignore the situation. Cognitive dissonance can relate to Lords of the flies book on Chapter 9. The morning after the boys killed Simon thinking it was the
One study done by Leon Festinger in 1957 demonstrates the desire to resolve cognitive dissonance. In this experiment, participants had to perform a series of extremely boring tasks, such as putting spools of thread into a box, dumping them out, and then putting them back in for half an hour and turning wooden knobs (that performed no action other than turning) quarter turns until they were all turned, and then starting back at the beginning and turning them all another quarter turn until the “end” of the study. After the participants were finished with their deliberately boring task, they were asked to lie to the next set of participants (actually just confederates) and were offered either one dollar or twenty dollars to tell them that the study was exciting and enjoyable. This task created cognitive dissonance, which can also occur when reading Science Fiction. After the participants lied, they were asked to honestly rate the task they performed. Surprisingly, the participants who were paid less rated the experiment more highly than those who were paid more. The explanation behind this is that the participants who were paid more cold justify their lie with the fact that they got twenty for it, thus resolving the cognitive dissonance. On
He enlisted forty participants and told them that they would be taking part in a study on the effects of punishment on learning. When they showed up to the testing site, they met with an experimenter and a confederate, Mr. Wallace, who they were led to believe was another participant in the study, just like them. As part of the experiment, it was determined that the participants would act as the “teacher” and Mr. Wallace would take on the role of the “learner”. The procedure the participants had to follow was straightforward; they were to read Mr. Wallace a list of paired words, and then through a series of multiple choice questions, test his memory. If he answered the question correctly, the participants moved on; however, if he got it incorrect, they were to administer him a shock, by pressing the indicated switches on the shock generator, with the shocks increasing by fifteen volts with each incorrect answer. As the shocks increase, Mr. Wallace begins to exhibit more and more signs of distress, asking for the study to end, and even making complaints of a heart condition. Despite his hesitance, the participants continued with the experiment because of the urging of the experimenter; if the participant remarked that they wanted to stop or check on the learner, the experimenter urged them by remarking “it is absolutely essential that you continue” or “you have no other choice; you must go on” (Kassin,
Another confound that may impact the results of this study could be the testing effect. Repeated testing may lead to better or worse performance. Changes in performance on the test may be due to prior experience with the test and not to the independent variable. In addition, repeated testing fatigues the subjects, and their performance declines as a result (Jackson, 2012). Because the professor is interested in determining if the implementation of weekly quizzes would improve test scores, an experimenter and/or an instrumentation effect may also affect results.
American social psychologist and original developer of the theory of Cognitive Dissonance Leon Festinger breaks down his theory into two main parts. First, the presence of dissonance, inconsistency or unpleasantness, will psychologically motivate a person to achieve consonance, consistency or pleasantness (Festinger 3). Psychologist Elliot Aronson, key researcher in the 20th century of this theory, expands on the definition of dissonance to be more straightforward. Dissonance occurs when a person holds two ideas, beliefs, or opinions at the same time that are contradictory with one and other. Part two of the theory states that a person will attempt to avoid situations or knowledge that would possibly or pro...
Cognitive dissonance theory is the theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are inconsistent. There are three methods that dissonance can be condensed. Individuals can modify one or more of the beliefs, attitude, behaviors, and more, this way the connection between the two elements are in agreement with one another. Another method is to gather new information that will compensate the dissonant beliefs. The third method is to decrease the importance of the beliefs, attitudes, behavior, and etc. Dissonance theory does not say that these methods will work; only people in the state of cognitive dissonance will use these methods to condense the degree of their dissonance. Cognitive dissonance theory
Cognitive dissonance is a communication theory mostly used in the field of social psychology in providing a theoretical framework in dealing with various issues relating to psychology. The title provides us with the concept that cognitive is thinking while dissonance is the inconsistency or conflict brought about. Cognitive dissonance manifests when one holds two or more incompatible beliefs simultaneously. This theory has been used and applied in several disciplines including communication, due to its simplicity and straightforwardness. The theory is commonly applied in these dynamic fields since it replaces previous conditioning or reinforcement theories by viewing individuals as more purposeful decision makers striving to acquire a balance in their beliefs. Cognitions are chunks or bits of knowledge which can pertain to any variety of values, emotions or values. These cognations can be related to one another or they can also be completely independent from each other (Cooper, 06). For instance, one may like to eat junk food, but may also be trying to lose weight. The two cognitions are related to each other in tha...
The desire for consistency can go beyond rational thought or force a person to rationalize when things are out of line. People find comfort in knowing what to expect. When what is known and believed is challenged, people are disrupted and forced to make a decision on how to process conflicting information. To avoid the discomfort caused by cognitive dissonance, people may ignore opposing views, examine and change their views to maintain consistency with their actions or even seek reassurance (Defining Communication Theories, 2001).
“Humans are not a rational animal, but a rationalizing one” (“Class 20”). This was asserted by the much acclaimed, significant, and influential social psychologist Leon Festinger as referencing to his theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Social psychology is “a branch of psychology particularly concerned with understanding social behaviors such as” incentive and compliance (Sheehy). Festinger’s contributions to the social and cognitive branches of psychology as well psychology overall prove themselves worthy to today. This theory specifically challenged many common notions that were seemingly already accepted by behaviorists everywhere during his time (Tavris and Aronson). Its reality awakens its verifications. Consecutively, its “enormous motivational power” affects many on a daily basis (Tavris and Aronson). In the final analysis, the theory of Cognitive Dissonance by Leon Festinger is fundamental to behaviorism while directly changing the way human beings across the planet think and do.
The human psyche frequently experiences the phenomena of internal contradiction, followed by an internal struggle for some semblance of balance or consistency (Hall, 1998). Cognitive dissonance acts as motivation for people to behave in a manner that effectively reduces said dissonance and restores balance. Leon Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance explores this occurrence and the subsequent actions that people take in order to create a balance between their ideals.
Noncompliance with instructions is one of the most pervasive childhood problems for which professional help or behavioral treatment is sought. (Bernal, Klinnert, & Schultz, 1980; Miles & Wilder, 2009). Noncompliance is defined as the failure to follow an instruction within a specified time period. Noncompliance with instructions is common in preschool settings (Crowther, Bond, & Rolf, 1981) with prevalence of noncompliance among children estimated to be between 8% and 65% (Kalb & Loeber, 2003; Rodriguez, Thompson, & Baynham, 2010).
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The experiments were quite simple, in that there was a seemingly harmless task to be performed, and the participants were instructed to choose the estimation of the lengths of a line when compared to two ...
Through several of the concepts found within social psychology, there are explanations as to why I reacted and handled the situation of leaving Western Kentucky University the way that I did. However, for the purpose of this paper I will focus on the concepts of compliancy, affective forecasting, focalism, and immune neglect in order to explain my social situation.