Definitionv1

Cognitive dissonance: the psychological discomfort

Cognitive dissonance: the psychological discomfort experienced when there is inconsistency between one's beliefs and behavior, which triggers defensive mechanisms that reduce the discomfort without actually resolving the contradiction

Why This Is a Definition

This definition establishes 'cognitive dissonance' by naming the term, identifying its genus (psychological discomfort), and differentia (inconsistency between beliefs and behavior). It explains the mechanism of defensive responses and the core problem it creates in addressing the stated-versus-revealed values gap.

Source Lessons

L-0622

Stated values versus revealed values

What you say you value and what your behavior reveals you value are often different. The gap between stated and revealed values is one of the most important pieces of self-knowledge you can acquire.

Connections

Defines (5)

AxiomHindsight Bias and Calibration Necessity AxiomIllusion of Explanatory Depth AxiomExpertise Transforms Perceptual Chunking AxiomCognitive Dissonance Drives Information Avoidance AxiomDual Coding Theory: Verbal and Visual Channels

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