An example of somebody displaying cognitively dissonant behaviour would be a situation where the persons views, values, beliefs etc are contradicted or opposed by one or other persons causing them mental (psychological) stress. At this point a state of cognition is triggered effectively causing them to refute, reject &/or miss-perceive the contradictory views, values or beliefs.
"smoking will most likely cause you to have cancer you know?"
"hmmm I'm not so sure I know people who have smoked all their lives and they're fine, plus I enjoy it anyway.." this is cognitive dissonance
"hmmm I'm not so sure I know people who have smoked all their lives and they're fine, plus I enjoy it anyway.." this is cognitive dissonance
by Oberon February 5, 2019
A condition of conflict or anxiety resulting from inconsistency between one's beliefs and one's actions, such as opposing the slaughter of animals and eating meat.
This child is going through a state of cognitive dissonance as he imitates his hero while physically beating his friends.
by Nee - Oh - Corn June 5, 2003
'It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of Cuba's longest serving President,'
'We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.'
etc, etc.
yep this is called cognitive dissonance.
'We join the people of Cuba today in mourning the loss of this remarkable leader.'
etc, etc.
yep this is called cognitive dissonance.
by i don't have a nickname November 27, 2016
Cognitive Dissonance States that contradicting cognitions serve as a driving force that compels the mind to acquire or invent new thoughts or beliefs, or to modify existing beliefs, so as to reduce the amount of dissonance (conflict) between cognitions.
You do a boring job, but is paid $30/hour, so you say that is a nice and interesting job....'well, it is not cognitive dissonance, I think is a great new job!!'
You are deciding about two movies, your girlfriend wants to see the most boring one so after the cinema, you think it was a good movie and cool after all.
You are deciding about two movies, your girlfriend wants to see the most boring one so after the cinema, you think it was a good movie and cool after all.
by David Mendoza November 9, 2006
Knowing you made the wrong choice but are too stubborn to correct yourself and therefore deny it by saying everyone else made the wrong choice.
PS3 fanboy: PS3 KICKS 360'S ASS ANYDAY.
Xbox fanboy: Uhhh...Okay. Cognitive dissonance. I'll just go back to playing Halo 3.
Xbox fanboy: Uhhh...Okay. Cognitive dissonance. I'll just go back to playing Halo 3.
by hobolikker May 27, 2009
When a conservative objects to blaming George W. Bush for the recession, even though he blames everything that happened during the Bush Administration on Bill Clinton.
Conservative: Yep the old usual left wing play, if all else fails, blame Bush.
Liberal: But you blamed everything that happened during the Bush Administration on Clinton. How is that any different?
Conservative: I guess I'm engaging in some cognitive dissonance.
Liberal: But you blamed everything that happened during the Bush Administration on Clinton. How is that any different?
Conservative: I guess I'm engaging in some cognitive dissonance.
by Jer Mack September 27, 2011
A mental conflict where a person's beliefs do not align with reality, creating a feeling of unease and tension, which results in the person attempting to rationalize their belief to cope with the discomfort
A: "Trump is going to win this election by a landslide!"
*Trump loses the election*
A: "No way he lost, the election is rigged! Trump still won this by a landslide"
This person is experiencing cognitive dissonance
*Trump loses the election*
A: "No way he lost, the election is rigged! Trump still won this by a landslide"
This person is experiencing cognitive dissonance
by Justdefinitions December 1, 2020