Cognitive incongruity: Identification, repercussions, and illustrations
Cognitive dissonance, a concept proposed by psychologist Leon Festinger in 1957, is an intriguing psychological phenomenon that arises when a person holds two contradictory beliefs or engages in behaviours that conflict with their values or beliefs. This discomfort can be triggered by various factors, such as making decisions with multiple options, experiencing social pressure, or even addiction to smoking.
In the quest for psychological consistency, individuals seek to reduce dissonance through various defence mechanisms. These strategies, such as rationalization, denial, justification by additional behaviour, changing attitudes or behaviours, and projection, help individuals reconcile discrepancies between their beliefs and actions.
For instance, someone who cheats on their diet might rationalize it by saying, "I'm allowed to cheat every once in a while." Denial might involve refusing to acknowledge the reality of a situation, such as someone denying that their behaviour is harmful despite evidence to the contrary. Justification by additional behaviour could mean someone who eats a high-calorie meal might justify it by planning extra exercise afterward.
While these defence mechanisms help individuals maintain psychological consistency and reduce discomfort, chronic use of them, such as denial, can have negative implications for mental health and well-being.
Cognitive dissonance is not a mental health condition in itself, but if the behaviour causes problems at work, school, in relationships, or leads to stress, anxiety, depression, overwhelming guilt, or shame, it may be beneficial for the individual to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional, such as a primary care doctor or therapist.
Speaking with a therapist may be particularly helpful for those who feel defensive or unhappy and believe cognitive dissonance might play a role in these feelings if it is part of a wider problem causing distress.
Moreover, cognitive dissonance can be a tool for personal and social change, drawing attention to the inconsistency between a person's behaviour and their values. For example, a person who smokes might experience cognitive dissonance when they realise the harmful effects of smoking on their health, leading them to quit smoking or advocate for smoking cessation.
Examples of cognitive dissonance include smoking, eating meat, doing household chores, and supporting fast fashion. These actions or beliefs may cause internal discomfort and tension, contributing to stress or unhappiness.
In conclusion, understanding cognitive dissonance and its associated defence mechanisms can provide insight into human behaviour and decision-making processes. By recognising cognitive dissonance and taking steps to resolve it, individuals can lead more consistent, harmonious, and fulfilling lives.
- A person diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis might experience cognitive dissonance when they continue to consume foods that exacerbate their condition, rationalizing it by stating, "I can handle a little bit of discomfort."
- Denial could be observed in an individual with multiple sclerosis who refuses to accept the progression of their disease, despite clear evidence of degeneration.
- Justification by additional behaviour may manifest in a NSCLC patient who smokes despite their Doctor's advice, arguing, "I'm taking my medication and going for regular check-ups, so one smoke won't hurt."
- Someone with Crohn's disease might engage in rationalization when they choose to eat dry food, convincing themselves, "I can't eat everything I used to, but I can handle this."
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, someone who neglects eye care might experience cognitive dissonance upon learning about macular degeneration, leading them to take preventive measures.
- Chronic denial of the harmful effects of COPD can have negative implications for the mental health of a patient, leading to anxiety, depression, and overwhelming guilt.
- In the field of science, predictive models could help individuals anticipate the possible effects of lifestyle choices on their health and well-being, reducing cognitive dissonance.
- A person with a mental health issue might experience cognitive dissonance when their actions do not align with their values, prompting them to seek help from a qualified healthcare professional in the field of mental health.
