Cognitive Dissonance, Attitude Change and Ways to Reduce Cognitive Dissonance: A Review Study

Abstract

Cognitive dissonance is the state of psychological discomfort or tension that knowledgeable by the people who have more than two conflicting attitude, values and belief happen at same period of time. Its conception associated with self-doubt at the time of making decision. The aim of this review study is to emphasize on cognitive dissonance, reasons to cause the cognitive dissonance, cognitive dissonance theory with revisions, association between cognitive dissonance and the strategies to elimination of cognitive dissonance. The cognitive dissonance is most impactful in the social psychology in past time. The revisions of the cognitive dissonance theory emphasizes on that the cognitive dissonance arises by the function of self-concept. The cognitive dissonance caused by many reasons namely: force compliance behaviour, gain new information, during decision making and effort made by the person. The existence of cognitive dissonance increases the state of motivation in person to change the attitude. The cognitive dissonance is strongly associated with changes in attitude. The changes in behavioural, social cognitive elements, addition of new elements and avoidance of dissonance are the strategies to lessen cognitive dissonance.