Dissonance causes conflict : Post 1 Festinger
Psychologist Festinger’s theory on the motivation effects of cognitive dissonance was very difficult to understand but it was also interesting at the same time. From what I read, my understanding was that sometimes when faced with certain decisions or situation that conflict with our personal beliefs or values, this unsatisfactory or dissatisfaction causes cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance, meaning the two subjects in question does not fit together. This conflict causes motivation which makes us want to change the dissonance by at least changing the way we think or view the subject in question. For example, as a Christian, I believe that God created everything in the universe including humans, this is something I hold to be true because I was brought up and taught this growing up but on the contrary, I may also have some doubts when studying science and its different explanation of how the world was made. This two different beliefs have caused a cognitive dissonance especially if it begins to affect the way I think, this brings about motivation to try and eliminate one ; I may ignore what my religion tells me and accept the science or vice versa.
It seems like most of the class had the same feelings about the article. It was definitely difficult to understand, but at the same time, it was very interesting. After reading several posts in really seems like you actually understand cognitive dissonance for the most part and got a lot out of the article.
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