How does cognitive dissonance work? Does it help us, or lead us into a life of hypocrisy? Can understanding the theory help us understand the bizarre behavior we see in others, as well as ourselves?



Cognitive dissonance has affected humans throughout history, but today's political, social, and medical pressures surround us in contradictory ideas, beliefs, and ideologies begging us to act on their behalf. To satisfy the expectations of others, bolster our egos, or even do the "more right thing," we make choices that amplify stressful feelings brought on by our cognitive dissonance.



We’ve all been guilty of believing one thing, but speaking or acting in a way that completely contradicts our supposed beliefs. In most cases, the consequences are insignificant. In some, they can be catastrophic.



In this blog post, I hope to just open your mind to what cognitive dissonance is, and how it affects each of us. With that awareness, I believe you’ll better understand others’ irrational behavior, and it’ll be easier for you to pause and think before acting irrationally yourself.



Note: I quote the book Mistakes Were Made (but not by me) by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson multiple times in this blog post. I recommend reading the book itself for a deeper exploration of cognitive dissonance. Keep in mind that the authors seem to be more left than right politically, so reading might make you stretch your thinking a little if you're more "right-minded" like me.



What is cognitive dissonance?



Cognitive dissonance is the stressful mental state of holding two opposing attitudes, beliefs, ideas, or opinions. Often, it causes us to act in a way inconsistent with how we see ourselves or want others to see us.



For example, I've seen people share stories about how they lost a loved one due to the COVID vaccine, but then go on to say that they're pro-vaccine. Their belief about the vaccines being good butts up against their knowledge that a family member died because of them.



Politics is an easy place to spot cognitive dissonance. Were I writing this during the Trump presidency, I'd no doubt have examples from him. But examples of cognitive dissonance have exploded under Biden, along with inflation.



President Biden has repeatedly warned Americans of the threat of mis-, dis-, and malformation, while lying to Americans 120 times as of January 20, 2022, just short of his first year as the President. That’s once every three days. Assuming he really believes in the importance of telling the truth, his head must be about ready to burst from the cognitive dissonance.



The  International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences adds how you feel to the definition of cognitive dissonance: inconsistency between two cognitions creates an aversive state akin to hunger or thirst that gives rise to a motivation to reduce the inconsistency.



Acting in a way inconsistent with what you believe increases stress. The higher your level of stress, or the greater the gap between how you see yourself and how you act, the more you'll be tempted to justify your actions instead of admitting your mistakes.



Examples of Cognitive Dissonance in Action



It's easy to think of examples of cognitive dissonance leading to social, political, relational, or financial problems. But, sometimes we feel its sting when we do the right thing as well. The following are five examples of how cognitive dissonance can affect us. Two are my own. I hope they help you see it in your life as well. You can't navigate its effects if you don't know it's there.



Smoking on the Golf Course



I was a fat kid for much of my childhood. At least, I was chubby by the standards of the 1980's. My nickname was CP, short for Chubby & Porky. That led me to an early interest in health and fitness. By the time I was 17, I'd shed the extra weight. Being that I was already becoming a fitness fanatic, if you would have asked me about smoking,