StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Cognitive Dissonance (Social and Cultural Contexts of Behavior) - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
It suggests that humans are motivated by a desire to remain in a state of psychological balance. According to the theory, if there is an inconsistency between our beliefs and actions, we will probably experience an…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER93.8% of users find it useful
Cognitive Dissonance (Social and Cultural Contexts of Behavior)
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Cognitive Dissonance (Social and Cultural Contexts of Behavior)"

Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams" by Randy Pausch Cognitive Dissonance is a theory, developed by Leon Festinger. It suggests that humans are motivated by a desire to remain in a state of psychological balance. According to the theory, if there is an inconsistency between our beliefs and actions, we will probably experience an uncomfortable feeling, called cognitive dissonance. In other words, there is a desire for balance that drives us to eliminate the dissonance by either changing our attitudes or behaviors (Stevens).

In that sense, Cognitive Dissonance theory is essentially a theory of behavior describing a motivational state that exists when an individuals cognitive elements are inconsistent with each other. It assumes that that people try to achieve consistency and avoid dissonance which may be coped with by changing ones attitudes. Therefore, cognitive dissonance is an unpleasant psychological state, which is caused by an inconsistent relationship between beliefs and behaviors. The unpleasant feeling caused by the experience of cognitive dissonance leads people to reduce the dissonance by changing an attitude or behavior (Stevens).

On that basis, Professor Pausch is not actually in a state of cognitive dissonance as he states in lecture. As he gives his ‘final words’ to the audience, the sense of optimism, cheerfulness, and satisfaction can be easily felt in his words. While he recalls his childhood memories and dreams, almost no one from the audience can feel that Professor Pausch is actually giving his ‘last words’ due to his severe illness. This is evident, for example, when he ironically addresses the audience, saying “If I don’t seem as depressed or morose as I should be, sorry to disappoint you.

” Also, his optimistic spirit is clearly reflected in his words when he declares, “I am in really good shape. In fact, I am in better shape than most of you.” Thus, through this sense of optimism and cheerfulness, he was able to reach a state of cognitive balance, not dissonance (“Cognitive Dissonance”). Essentially, a person experiences a motivational tension when he has cognitions among which there are one or more dissonant relationships. Individuals usually longs for consistency within their own mind, and this is exactly the case with Professor Pausch.

In conclusion, it can be said that Professor Pausch was able to reduce cognitive dissonance, by being capable to reduce the dissonant cognition. Although the theory assumes that dissonance can be reduced, only the thought about taking action to do so is a given (“Cognitive Dissonance”).Bibliography(“Cognitive Dissonance.” 15 Nov. 2011. Pausch, Randy. "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams." Stevens, Mark . 11 Nov. 2000. 15 Nov. 2011.

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Cognitive Dissonance (Social and Cultural Contexts of Behavior) Essay”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/psychology/1584207-cognitive-dissonance-social-and-cultural-contexts-of-behavior
(Cognitive Dissonance (Social and Cultural Contexts of Behavior) Essay)
https://studentshare.org/psychology/1584207-cognitive-dissonance-social-and-cultural-contexts-of-behavior.
“Cognitive Dissonance (Social and Cultural Contexts of Behavior) Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/psychology/1584207-cognitive-dissonance-social-and-cultural-contexts-of-behavior.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Cognitive Dissonance (Social and Cultural Contexts of Behavior)

A Social Psychology Evaluation

nbsp;… It is argued in this paper that greater social cohesion requires less social divisions within and across nations, so as to contribute to richer international understandings.... A conclusion shall synthesize the main points of the paper, to support the view that reality shows take the opportunity to promote inclusiveness to achieve greater social cohesion.... Probst states, "It's a social experiment, and this adds another layer to the experiment" (smh....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Social Psychology in School Setting

cognitive dissonance (McGarty, 1997:20-26): According to Festinger, theory of cognitive dissonance is a deft blend of motivational and cognitive constructs.... cognitive dissonance is a type of psychological discomfort, produced by having attitudes in consistent with behavior, which creates pressure to change those attitudes.... The application of cognitive dissonance theory can bring stability and positivism when applied for a purpose of attitude change....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

The Role of Emotions in Cognitive Dissonance

The paper "The Role of Emotions in cognitive dissonance" describes that a culture that can sustain the minimum hiatus between personal and the social one will generate the least cognitive dissonance and will be most effective in fostering the community well-being.... The study concludes on the note that a society that generates the minimum amount of cognitive dissonance in individuals in the apparently conflicting aspects of self-enhancement and altruism by showing that both are compatible to a great degree will be successful in survival....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Physiological Arousal and Dissonance

Is it drawback or merit, is it absolutely unrelated to the arousal and decrease of cognitive dissonance?... This, according to the majority of the individuals caused cognitive dissonance; they considered the exercise to be very boring but concurrently argued the contrary.... Studies affirm the fundamental assumption of cognitive dissonance and show its wide impact.... For instance, conventional knowledge proposes behavior follows attitudes; dissonance theory, nevertheless, recognizes conditions under which the contrary takes place....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Comparative Methods of Explaining Social Behaviour

It underscored the idea that individuality develops along with the dictates of cultural and social factors, especially through communication.... The paper "Comparative Methods of Explaining social Behaviour" describes that different theories have been developed to explain social behaviour.... nbsp;… The theory posits that social behaviour is dependent on three factors: internal or social locus; controllability; and stability or the likelihood of a behaviour retaining or altering the status quo (Elster, 2007)....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

General Nature of Organizational Culture

It is comprised of reinforcing and measuring behavior change.... The rewards system, reporting relationships and other systems can be designed to reinforce the new behavior.... behavior and ideas that are embedded in the corporate culture must be replaced.... The organizational culture may have a prominent impact on the members of the organization, their values and behavior (Kulvinskienė and Šeimienė 2009).... rganizational culture comprises the attitudes, experiences, beliefs, and values of the organization, acquired through social learning, that control the way individuals and groups in the organization interact with one another and with parties outside it (Serrat 2009)....
12 Pages (3000 words) Coursework

Group Pressure upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgment

hellip; The author states that attitudes and cognitive dissonance are the variables used in this hypothesis.... The paper “Group Pressure upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgment” focuses on the reinforcements and punishments people receive for maladaptive behavior and on altering them.... The concept is that attitude is a learned behavior.... While thought and feeling may technically make up an attitude the third factor, the behavior is likely to result....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Bibliography on Social Psychology Research

ile=ghosh&output=screenData from Calcutta and its suburb on cultural was used to explore various community characteristics associated with individualism and collectivism.... This paper "Bibliography on social Psychology Research" offers a number of bibliographic positions....
9 Pages (2250 words) Annotated Bibliography
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us