Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The psychological tension that occurs when one holds mutually exclusive beliefs or attitudes and that often motivates people to modify their thoughts or behaviors in order to reduce the tension.
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Examples
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samuraizack commented on the word cognitive dissonance
I've actually used this in context multiple times before. Usually talking about my family...
May 23, 2007
uselessness commented on the word cognitive dissonance
I use this phrase too! Usually all I get in return are confused expressions though. :-)
May 23, 2007
oroboros commented on the word cognitive dissonance
Grating thoughts? Jeez, watch out for cognitive cacophony!
May 23, 2007
slumry commented on the word cognitive dissonance
I have always found this a useful concept, too, although I almost never say it out loud (perhaps that is because it is usually an internal event.) One of the phrases I retained from an long ago ed psych class, I believe.
July 24, 2007
uselessness commented on the word cognitive dissonance
One of my friends thought I was making this up when I explained it to her. And she's a nurse! :-O
July 24, 2007
oroboros commented on the word cognitive dissonance
From Google: Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon first identified by Leon Festinger. It occurs when there is a discrepancy between what a person believes, knows and values, and persuasive information that calls these into question. The discrepancy causes psychological discomfort, and the mind adjusts to reduce the discrepancy. In ethics, cognitive dissonance is important in its ability to alter values, such as when an admired celebrity embraces behavior that his or her admirers deplore.
July 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word cognitive dissonance
Thant's funny, u. The experience is so common.
July 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word cognitive dissonance
And in practice, the term is used to denote a certain kind of inner conflict: If I feel that a situation compels me to do a thing, and that thing is contrary to my self image, I will experience cognitive dissonance.
July 24, 2007
uselessness commented on the word cognitive dissonance
For me, the cognitive dissonance occurred when I discovered libertarianism. Because I realized it made sense and was the most moral political philosophy, and yet it flies in the face of what I used to believe. I fought myself about it for weeks before coming to grips with it and allowing myself to just embrace it.
Not that I'm trying to get all political on my fellow Wordies, I'm just sayin'... It's a good example. ;-)
July 24, 2007
slumry commented on the word cognitive dissonance
Your experience is a good example, u.
July 24, 2007
reesetee commented on the word cognitive dissonance
I agree with slumry, u--it is a good example. I had the same kind of experience coming to terms with...well, to be discreet, with having been brought up in a certain religion (here unidentified) that does not especially accept certain people (also unnamed). You're lucky to have been able to resolve the struggle. :-)
July 24, 2007
mialuthien commented on the word cognitive dissonance
cognitive dissonance – a discrepancy between what a person does and what they think or believe; a psychological state of conflict that occurs when a person's behavior contradicts their thoughts or beliefs
July 14, 2008
xntrek commented on the word cognitive dissonance
(n) individual awareness of inconsistencies in thoughts feelings and opinions.,
(n) an uncomfortable feeling or stress caused by holding two contradictory ideas simultaneously.,
May 8, 2009
Louises commented on the word cognitive dissonance
A strikingly beautiful woman who smelled like a vat of pigshit and rotten meat. You appreciate the cognitive dissonance. From "The Last Werewolf" by Glen Duncan.
March 8, 2012