How can cognitive dissonance be resolved?

Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual experiences conflicting thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, leading to psychological discomfort. To resolve this discomfort, one effective approach is to change either an attitude or a behavior. This adjustment helps to align the individual’s beliefs and actions, thereby reducing the tension created by the dissonance.

For instance, if a person values a healthy lifestyle but smokes cigarettes, they might resolve their cognitive dissonance by either quitting smoking (changing the behavior) or convincing themselves that smoking is not as harmful as it is portrayed (changing the attitude). This adjustment allows for a more cohesive internal belief system, ultimately alleviating the dissonance.

This process of reconciling conflicting cognitions is crucial for maintaining psychological well-being and can significantly impact decision-making and personal growth.