The validity of cognitive dissonance is the fact that we are faced with it every day, by making a decision or solving a problem using our subjective values which include beliefs, opinions, attitudes, etc. An attitude describes the positive or negative feelings we have toward people, things, or ideas. As humans, what we do to make these decisions and solve these problems don't always line up, causing inconsistency. This means our beliefs go one way, and our behavior goes in the opposite direction. When we decide to change our subjective value, then the dissonance is resolved. #1 The validity of cognitive dissonance is the fact that we are faced with it every day, by making a decision or solving a problem using our subjective values which include …show more content…
The level of dissonance a person is experiencing, if any, is the main objective of the theory. If there is a person who does not feel psychologically uncomfortable with cognitive dissonance, the theory will not apply. Worldview 1 also includes a testable hypothesis, and Leon Festinger had three. The hypotheses for cognitive dissonance theory are mental mechanisms people use to ensure their actions and attitudes are synchronized (griffin, 2015, p. 202), and the objective experiment is to present evidence that will prove those hypotheses. The first hypothesis stated that selective dissonance prevents dissonance. “Not only do we tend to listen to opinions and select reading materials that are consistent with our existing beliefs, we usually choose to be with people who are like us. By taking care to “stick with our own kind” (Griffin, 2015, p. 202). Hypothesis two is post decision dissonance creates a need for reassurance. Everyone has tried to convince themselves, maybe after buying a car, that they have made the right decision. Three conditions heighten post decision dissonance: (1) the more important the issue, (2) the longer an individual delays in choosing between two equally attractive options, and (3) the greater the difficulty involved in reversing the decision once it’s been made. Hypothesis three, minimal Justification for action induces attitude
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
Theoretical perspectives in the study of human behavior can easily be applied to cases in social work practice. The mental health field in particular lends itself to the application of different human behavior theories. Specifically, depression can be viewed through the lens of Social Cognitive Theory, or Social Cognitive Learning. There is one case of a woman with depression, whose name will be changed, that social cognitive theory can be applied to. Cheryl is a 58 year old woman who has been diagnosed with Major depressive disorder. She has had this diagnosis since she was 17 years old. Many of her symptoms and experiences can be viewed or explained in terms of social cognitive theory.
Cooper, Joel. Cognitive Dissonance: Fifty Years of a Classic Theory. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2007. Print
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).
This theory dealt with the internal tension that a person gets following an important decision. The three conditions that are most likely to increase the feeling of postdecision dissonance include the more important the issue , the longer an individual delays in choosing between two equally attractive options, and the greater difficulty involved in reversing the decision once it has been made (220). Once a decision has been made, feelings of second guessing and regret begin to weigh on one’s mind. This leads them to go seek reassurance about the choice whether it is information on the topic or social support. This is a way to seek approval from those who do not bring feelings of dissonance to
lected Theory: Cognitive Dissonance is an objective communication theory created by Leon Festinger, a Stanford University social psychologist. Cognitive Dissonance is a conflicting mental state caused by discrepancy between two beliefs held by an individual. The more important the belief the stronger the dissonance. The strain caused by dissonance leads us to change our behavior or belief. Festinger says there are three different ways to reduce or avoid dissonance: selective exposure, postdecision dissonance, and minimal justification. Also, Festinger describes three different reasons for why one reduces dissonance. These reasons are self- consistency, personal responsibility for bad outcomes, and self- affirmation to dissipate dissonance.
“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.
In this assignment I am going to introduce and unpack cognitive behavioural theory and psychodynamic theory. This will include the history of each theory and the theorists that discovered and developed both. I am going to link each theory to where they fit in Payne’s Triangle of Social Work as well as compare and contrast each theory. Both Cognitive behavioural theory and psychodynamic theory both support the purposes of social work in which I will cover beneath. This assignment will also include criticisms of both theories as well.
This theory, founded by Stanford psychologist Leon Festinger, describes the mental state in which people feel when they have unpredictable thoughts relating to their decisions and the ability to change their attitude (Griffin, p. 200). This theory matters because its purpose is for people to find consistency in their beliefs, even if the situation is not consistent. When students are using nagging strategies and believe that their behavior is inappropriate or ineffective, they are experiencing dissonance (p. 317). Dunleavy and Martin found a way to reduce dissonance in students, by changing the students’ beliefs about general nagging behavior (p. 317). Having students perceive some of the nagging strategies as appropriate would help reduce their unpredictable thoughts, mostly because students would be much more comfortable knowing that this is the behavior they are displaying. For students to believe that their behavior is acceptable and appropriate is the main focus on reducing dissonance. As for instructors, Dunleavy and Martin suggest that they are not experiencing cognitive dissonance. Instructors are the ones who infer the behavior of the students, claiming that they would probably feel more comfortable in viewing the students’ behavior as less appropriate (p. 318).
The Cognitive Dissonance Theory (CDT) was devised by Leon Festinger in his book “A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance”. To understand Festingers theory you need to understand the terms he defines. Dissonance is the lack of harmony of conflicting ideas. Cognition is thinking, reasoning and remembering. Cognitions are ideas, attitudes, beliefs, opinions and memories. As humans we don’t like friction if we could live in a world where there were no issues ever it would be ideal. But with society and different ideas consistently being made/altered people grow opinions and
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.
Cognitive, Cognitive Behavioral and Reality Theories. Cognitive Theory Cognitive theory is a learning approach in psychology that attempts to explain the behavior of humans by studying thoughts and reasoning processes. Cognitive theory is founded on many other factors like cognitive reasoning and social cognitive theory. Aaron Beck founded the theory and it is meant to understand the human behavior by observing the processes triggered by reasoning and individual thoughts.
Anyone who has an understanding about giving birth or has given birth before knows that a baby will not come out that easily. This advertisement challenges the brain’s cognitive thinking causing cognitive dissonance to happen. When watching this advertisement, it makes the audience want to perform the Cognitive Dissonance theory that was developed by Leon Festinger. This theory proposes that individuals seek balance among their beliefs, values, and opinions. When two ideas are inconstant or contrast each other, there are several ways an individual can reduce the cognitive
For this week's discussion the theory that resonated with me the most is the Cognitive Behavioral Theory with Dr. Krumboltz. I have always been drawn to the CBT, as I feel that an individual's negative or destructive behaviors can be changed for the better with the right intervention, client understanding, acceptance and awareness of their role in their behavior. Dr. Krumboltz terms this as a learning approach (01:35). The video displays Dr. Krumboltz and his client Robin discussing the issues Robin is experiencing with her mother-in-law, as well as the impact those issues at times have on her marriage.
“Behavior theory consists of ideas about how human actions and emotions develop, are sustained, and are extinguished through principles of learning” (Walsh, 2010). Positive and negative reinforcement is used to help manipulate the behaviors of the individual. The theory has been used to help eliminate unwanted behaviors. In addition, behavior theory has been use primarily with children, and persons with developmental disabilities. According to Walsh (2010) behavior theory evolved in the 1960s from a field of philosophy to the field of science. Ivan Pavlov discovered classical conditioning, which plays a major role in behavioral theory. Classical conditioning is the process of learning through ones surroundings, conditioned, and unconditioned stimuli and response. B. F. Skinner discovered operant conditioning the process of learning to influence the future responses to the environment (Clark, 2004). The two concepts has been used throughout the behavior theory to help assist clients with unacceptable behaviors that is occurring. The combination of the two concepts has been a very helpful aspect to the behavior theory. Both concepts offer a different approach or solution to the behavior of the client.