The Role Of Cognitive Dissonance In Prison Break

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“In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so” (Immanuel Kant). This quote greatly explains how people feel whenever they take an action that goes against their beliefs. There is a constant struggle in the mind that tries to justify or rationalize the action in order for the individual to feel better. For example, if a janitor of a multimillion corporation is cleaning the office of his boss and suddenly notices that there is a stack of hundred dollar bills on the desk. The janitor steals one and then thinks, “No worries. My boss has millions of dollars. One hundred-dollar bill will make no impact in his wealth.” The janitor is then experiencing what is called cognitive dissonance because his boss rich and wealthy, making him part of the power elite, therefore justifying his actions. A television show that demonstrates the concepts of cognitive dissonance and the power elite is called “Prison Break”. This television show …show more content…

This vision places him back in his jail cell with his old jail mate Charles, the one who died in the process of the escape. As Michael sits with Charles he apologizes to him for all the lies he told him and all the pain he caused with his plan to break Lincoln out of prison. Michael feels like everything he did to get his brother out of prison was for nothing because he is under The Company’s possession. He cannot take the guilt anymore and needs to tell someone. Charles asks Michael why he feels like everything he did was for nothing if he managed to save his brother’s life. Michael agrees with him, but then asks “At what cost though? How many other people lost their lives in the process?” Charles then turns and asks him if he regrets it? Or if he would do it all over again to spare his brother’s life? As Michael is about to answer he tells Charles he feels like a murderer because he would do it all over

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