Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Self in dissonance theory 90 6 vicarious cognitive dissonance. Publication date 1962 topics adaptability psychology, dissonance cognitive, cognitieve dissonantie. We explain the three hypothesis and three revisions of the cognitive dissonance theory by leon festinger. According to this theory, when two actions or ideas are not psychologically consistent with each other, people do all in their power. Leon festinger born may 8, 1919 february 11, 1989 was a social psychologist from new york city who became famous for his theory of cognitive dissonance. Book of festinger, brehm, cohen, sears, and others researchers on early studies of 5060 article about researches wit. Buy a theory of cognitive dissonance anniversary ed. Cognitive dissonance can be seen as an antecedent condition which leads to activity oriented toward dissonance reduction just as hunger leads to activity oriented toward hunger reduction. Consequently, the editors felt that an assessment of the current status of the theory would be of value and that there was a need for a book to present and. This book explores, in a wide variety of contexts, the consequences of the existence of cognitive dissonance and the attempts on the part of humans to reduce it. List of books and articles about cognitive dissonance.
In the severeinitiation condition, the women engaged. In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values, or participates in an action that goes against one of these three, and experiences psychological stress because of that. The theory of cognitive dissonance was introduced by festinger in 1957, and since then has inspired a large number of theoretical discussions and empirical studies. A theory of cognitive dissonance by festinger, leon, 19191989. Cognitive dissonance simple english wikipedia, the free. What books would you recommend that are about cognitive. Cognitive dissonance is described as psychological discomfort that arises from holding incompatible ideas at the same time. A theory of cognitive dissonance quotes by leon festinger. In general, social psychologists, always looking for the next great theory, seemed to have shelved this book and its concepts within a couple of decades after it came out in 1957 see leon festingers comments 30 years later in appendix b of cognitive dissonance progress on a pivotal theory. Chapters in the book are divided into ones that state particular aspects of the theory followed by chapters with data that support the theory. This is known as the principle of cognitive consistency. Experiencing dissonance through the actions of another 117 7 culture, race, and cognitive dissonance 5 8 cognitive dissonance in todays world 157 afterword 181 references 184 index 193 cooper3526prelims. Reexamining a pivotal theory in psychology, is an update of the book jud mills and i. It is also a prime example of how creative thinking and problem solving skills can come together to produce work that changes the way people look at questions for good.
As noted earlier, this is often very difficult, so people frequently employ a variety of mental maneuvers. The theory of cognitive dissonance festinger, 1957. An introduction to cognitive dissonance theory and an. Reacting to this unpleasant state, people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance. Cognitive dissonance cd is a discomfort caused by holding conflicting elements of knowledge. My newly edited book on dissonance, cognitive dissonance. Smart women cognitive dissonance toxic relationships with psychopaths and narcissists. This work is a clearly stated theory on how humans think, decide, and defend their decisions. Cognitive dissonance theory after 70 years psychology today. That brings us to the next point, namely the categorization of cognitive dissonance theory. Leon festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been widely recognized for its important and influential concepts in areas of motivation and social psychology. The web of eternal entanglement transcend mediocrity book 87 by j.
It is important to note that cognitive dissonance is not automatic when a person holds. A cognitive dissonance approach avidit acharya, stanford university matthew blackwell, harvard university maya sen, harvard university the standard approach in positive political theory posits that action choices are the consequences of preferences. As has been noted above, it is firmly planted in the sociopsychological tradition, which focuses on individual social behavior, psychological variables, perception, and cognition. The theory of cognitive dissonance was developed in 1957 by leon festinger 1919 to 1989, an american psychologist, and has at its core the principle that people strive to maintain consistency among pairs of cognitions or knowledges about their.
Leon festinger introduced cognitive dissonance theory in a 1957 book, a theory of cognitive dissonance. Festinger earned his bachelor of science degree from the city college of new york in 1939. Cognitive dissonance has been an important and influential theory since leon festinger published his classic work in 1957. An introduction to cognitive dissonance theory 7 in the first experiment designed to test these theoretical ideas, aronson and mills 1959 had women undergo a severe or mild initiation to become a member of a group. Festinger developed the theory to explain how members of a cult, the seekers, were persuaded by their leader, mrs. Keech, that the earth was going to be destroyed on december 21 and that only those people who were part of the cult would be rescued by aliens and saved from earths demise. Leon festingers theory of cognitive dissonance was. If you arent familiar with any of the research after 1957 then this book will do a pretty good job of getting you started, but i wouldnt recommend stopping there. He might also seek out other smokers who would give him social support. While at the university of minnesota, festinger read about a cult that believed that the end of the world was at hand. Leon festingers 1957 a theory of cognitive dissonance is a key text in the history of psychology one that made its author one of the most influential social psychologists of his time.
As such, the book mainly focuses on coopers point of view of cognitive dissonance rather than cognitive dissonance in general. Popular cognitive dissonance books showing 120 of 20 mistakes were made but not by me. Social and cultural foundations part 2 flashcards quizlet. A theory of cognitive dissonance by leon festinger 1 ratings, 4. If you study psychology there is a very good chance that you will be introduced to the theory of cognitive dissonance. In the years since, cognitive dissonance has become a central pillar of psychological theory, as was documented in the first edition of this book. Keech, reported receiving messages from extraterrestrial aliens that the world would end in a great flood on a specific date. The theory of dissonance is here applied to the problem of why partial reward, delay of reward, and effort expenditure during training result in increased resistance to extinction. In this state, people may feel surprise, dread, guilt, anger, or embarrassment. Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts. Cd is among the most influential and extensively studied theories in social psychology e. Perspectives on a pivotal theory in social psychology documents the ongoing research and debate provoked by this influential theory. Cognitive dissonance is a theory in social psychology.
Leonid perlovsky shelved 1 time as cognitivedissonance avg rating 4. Dr, philip zimbardo walks us though a lesson in cognitive dissonance. She attracted a group of followers who left jobs, schools, and spouses and. This robust theory suggests that a motivational state of inner tension is triggered by logically inconsistent ways of thinking. Cognitive dissonance theory by leon festinger for educational purposes only. In order to reduce or possibly eliminate the dissonance, something must change because of the discrepancy between the persons beliefs and behaviors. A theory of cognitive dissonance 9780804709118 by festinger, leon and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Cognitive dissonance is a concept in social psychology. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Healthy pleasuresrobert ornstein has a section on it good thinking. Leon festinger leon festinger cognitive dissonance. An analysis of leon festingers a theory of cognitive. Festingers 1957 cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony or dissonance. It describes the feelings of discomfort resulting from having the two conflicting beliefs.
It is known by every social psychologist, most psychologists of any stripe, and the lay public, making its way into such mainstream publications as the new york times with increasing frequency and accuracy. In general, social psychologists, always looking for the next great theory, seemed to have shelved this book and its concepts within a couple of decades after it came out in 1957 see leon festingers comments 30 years later in appendix b of cognitive dissonance progress on a pivotal theory in social. Cognitive dissonance challenges a possibility of human evolution. Cognitive dissonance occurs when a persons beliefs conflicts with other previously held beliefs. After completing his undergraduate studies, he attended the university of iowa where he received his ph. When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors dissonance, something must change to eliminate the. It is the discomfort felt by a person who holds conflicting ideas, beliefs or values at the same time. Music, passion, and cognitive function paperback by.
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