The researchers reported, we predicted that study participants who thought that they were. According to dissonance theory, selfesteem is threatened by inconsistency. Leon festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been widely recognized for its important and influential concepts in areas of motivation and social. This is chapter one of leon festinger, a theory of cognitive dissonance. Here are presented all the main aspects of the theory. This work is a clearly stated theory on how humans think, decide, and defend their decisions. Leon festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been widely recognized for its important and. Cognitive dissonance communication oxford bibliographies. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools.
A person who experiences internal inconsistency tends to become psychologically uncomfortable and is motivated to reduce the cognitive dissonance. This paper was prepared while the authors research was being supported by the national institute of mental health. Originally published in the journal of abnormal and social psychology in 1959, cognitive consequences of forced compliance by leon festinger and james carlsmith was the first of numerous studies to corroborate the. Festingers 1957 cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an. In the 1950s, leon festinger proposed the theory of cognitive dissonance.
When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors dissonance, something must change to eliminate the dissonance. Publication date 1962 topics adaptability psychology, dissonance cognitive, cognitieve dissonantie. In the rest of the book many behavioural facts supporting the theory are put forward. A theory of cognitive dissonance by festinger, leon, 19191989. Festinger s theory proposes that inconsistency among beliefs or behaviours causes an uncomfortable psychological tension i. Originally published in the journal of abnormal and social psychology in 1959, cognitive consequences of forced compliance by leon festinger and james carlsmith was the first of numerous studies to corroborate the theory of cognitive dissonance. The cognitive dissonance experiment is based on the theory of cognitive dissonance proposed by leon festinger in the year 1957. In 1954 leon festinger first posited a theory of cognitive dissonance to.
Leon festinger and cognitive dissonance exploring your mind. Keep reading for a brief biography of festinger and to learn more about. A theory of cognitive dissonance by festinger abebooks. Indeed, the concept of cognitive dissonance has entered popular speech, even political campaigns. After completing his undergraduate studies, he attended the university of iowa where he received his ph. In an event wherein some of these cognitions clash, an unsettled state of tension occurs and this is called. Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort you feel when you do something thats against your beliefs.
He is best known for his work a theory of cognitive dissonance 1957, which inspired a great deal of creative research and caused the term cognitive dissonance to become a part of public discourse. Cognitive dissonance theory has had a more illustrious career than its politicalscience and sociological equivalents. Theorist biography leon festinger, 1919 1989, was born to russianjewish immigrants alex festinger and sara solomon festinger in brooklyn, new york. Introduction as a formal statement, festinger s theory of cognitive dissonance 1957 is quite primitive. Cognitive dissonance is the negative feeling that results from conflicting beliefs and behaviors. The theory of cognitive dissonance festinger, 1957. In general, social psychologists, always looking for the next great theory, seemed to have shelved this book and its concepts within a couple of decades after it came out in 1957 see leon festingers comments 30 years later in appendix b of cognitive dissonance progress on a pivotal theory in social. Leon festinger, an introduction to the theory of cognitive. Proposed by festinger, the cognitive dissonance theory asserts that people often have two conflicting or inconsistent cognitions which produce a state of tension or discomfort also known as dissonance. Cognitive dissonance theory definition psychology glossary. This robust theory suggests that a motivational state of inner tension is triggered by logically inconsistent ways of thinking. Cognitive dissonance is an aversive drive that causes people to 1 avoid opposing viewpoints, 2 seek reassurance after making a tough decision, and 3 change private beliefs to match public behavior when there is minimal justification for an action. Festingers 1957 cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony or dissonance.
People are then motivated to reduce the dissonance, often in the easiest manner possible. Festinger earned his bachelor of science degree from the city college of new york in 1939. He noted that the experience of dissonance depends upon three factors. Festinger s 1957 cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony or dissonance.
Cite a theory of cognitive dissonance leon festinger. Cognitive dissonance theory, developed by leon festinger 1957, is concerned with the relationships among cognitions. This volume describes advances in the theory of cognitive dissonance, from its origination in. Leon festinger introduced the concept of cognitive dissonance as psychological tension in 1957. When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors dissonance, something must change to eliminate the. As noted earlier, this is often very difficult, so people frequently. Festinger observed that when a person held a belief that was later disproved, the individual held the belief more strongly afterward. A current perspective aronson, berkowitz, 1969, elliot aronson linked cognitive dissonance to the selfconcept. Adaptability psychology, cognitive dissonance, cognitieve dissonantie, dissonance cognitive. This is known as the principle of cognitive consistency. The number of variations within this approach to selfevaluation regulation is also substantial. He is best known for developing cognitive dissonance theory and social comparison theory. Cognitive dissonance theory cognitive dissonance theory was first developed by leon festinger in 1956 after the publication of a book when prophecy fails, written with coauthors henry w.
Historical note on festingers tests of dissonance theory. His theories and research are credited with renouncing the previously dominant behaviorist view of social psychology by demonstrating the inadequacy of stimulusresponse conditioning accounts of human behavior. Festinger was born on may 8, 1919, in brooklyn, new york. Festingers 1957 cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and beliefs in harmony and avoid disharmony or dissonance. He tested the decisionmaking process in a cognitive dissonance experiment. Cognitive dissonance theory an overview sciencedirect. Nov 11, 2011 a theory of cognitive dissonance duration. Buy a theory of cognitive dissonance anniversary ed. Leon festinger was a renowned american psychologist, researcher, and author.
Leon festinger 8 may 1919 11 february 1989 was an american social psychologist, perhaps best known for cognitive dissonance and social comparison theory. The theory of dissonance is here applied to the problem of why partial reward, delay of reward, and effort expenditure during training result in increased resistance to extinction. List of books and articles about leon festinger online. In addition to challenging the dominance of behaviorism, festinger spearheaded the use of scientific experimentation in social psychology. The psychological fields generated the concept and theory of cognitive dissonance e. Leon festinger, one such noted social psychologist, explained that people, in the course of their daily lives, hold a myriad of cognitions simultaneously. In a theory of cognitive dissonance 1957, leon festinger proposed that human beings strive for internal psychological consistency to function mentally in the real world. Introduction as a formal statement, festingers theory of cognitive dissonance 1957 is quite primitive.
People hold many different cognitions about their world, e. Cognitive dissonance leon festinger according to cognitive dissonance theory, there is a tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions i. Riecken and stanley schachter, to explain how members of a ufo doomsday cult increased their commitment to the cult when a prophesised destruction of the earth did not happen. Leon festinger went to boys high school and acquired a bachelors degree in science at city college, new york in 1939.
Publication date 1962 topics adaptability psychology, dissonance cognitive. May 16, 2019 a theory of cognitive dissonance by leon festinger, 1962, stanford university press edition. An example of this approach is cognitive dissonance theory festinger 1957. In the field of psychology, cognitive dissonance occurs when a person holds two or more. A theory of cognitive dissonance by leon festinger.
A theory of cognitive dissonance by leon festinger, 1962, stanford university press edition. An important factor here is the principle of cognitive consistency, the focus of festingers 1957 theory of. That brings us to the next point, namely the categorization of cognitive dissonance theory. Festinger 1957 cited under core books considered three ways to cope with cognitive dissonance. Psychologist leon festinger is known for his theory of cognitive dissonance, which concerns our actions and attitudes. Although festinger theorized that cognitive dissonance can occur, he did not suggest that cognitive dissonance always occurs when people are faced with inconsistency. According to cognitive dissonance theory, there is a tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions i. Sep 05, 2019 leon festinger introduced the concept of cognitive dissonance as psychological tension in 1957. In a time of abundant information, the risk of picking up only those data that support our previous convictions is always there. In general, social psychologists, always looking for the next great theory, seemed to have shelved this book and its concepts within a couple of decades after it came out in 1957 see leon festinger s comments 30 years later in appendix b of cognitive dissonance progress on a pivotal theory in social. Leon festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been widely recognized for its important and influential concepts in areas of motivation and social psychology. Cognitive dissonance is a sensation that seems to derive from a conflict between the ideas, beliefs, and values of a certain subject and their behavior.
This reinterpretation of the original festinger and carlsmith study, using the induced. Leon festinger psychologist biography practical psychology. He tested the decisionmaking process in a cognitive dissonance experiment cognitive dissonance is a sensation that seems to derive from a conflict between the ideas, beliefs, and values of a certain subject and their behavior. In a theory of cognitive dissonance 1957, leon festinger proposed that human. Attitudes may change because of factors within the person. May 11, 2012 the theory of cognitive dissonance has been the subject of interest and study of social psychologists in particular. Festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been one of the most. A theory of cognitive dissonance by leon festinger, paperback. Leon festinger born may 8, 1919 february 11, 1989 was a social psychologist from new york city who became famous for his theory of cognitive dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance theory an overview sciencedirect topics. Leon festinger s theory of cognitive dissonance has been widely recognized for its important and influential concepts in areas of motivation and social psychology. As has been noted above, it is firmly planted in the sociopsychological tradition, which focuses on individual social behavior, psychological variables, perception, and cognition. A theory of cognitive dissonance by leon, festinger and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ty book ti a theory of cognitive dissonance au festinger, leon sp 291 cy stanford pb stanford university press py 1957 ur books.
In a state of dissonance, people may sometimes feel disequilibrium. Read on to find out more about the theory of cognitive dissonance, discover examples from real. In general, social psychologists, always looking for the next great theory, seemed to have shelved this book and its concepts within a couple of decades after it came out in 1957 see leon festingers comments 30 years later in appendix b of cognitive dissonance progress on a. Festinger was born on may 8, 1919, in brooklyn, new york, and died on february 11, 1989. This chapter focuses on theory of cognitive dissonance.
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