Homework 3

Cognitive dissonance theory implies that people will experience dissonance when they act in a way that counters important self-concepts or values and that they will be motivated to reduce this dissonance. Describe a situation during the past year when you felt cognitive dissonance. Describe the various elements of cognitive dissonance in the example: what was the inconsistent cognition and behavior you had to confront? How was the tension related to this inconsistency expressed, if at all? Explain the reasons for the felt dissonance (e.g., due to a threat to your private self-image, to your public self-image, etc.) How did you deal with the dissonance? What strategies did you engage in to reduce his/her cognitive dissonance, and what category of dissonance reduction strategies does this fall under? Use the relevant concepts to describe your experience. Discuss implications (if any) that this cognitive dissonance might have for you and others.