Final answer:
John's belief in life on Mars is best explained by the social construction of reality, a concept that our societal world is shaped by our collective actions and perceptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social Construction of Reality Explained
John's belief that life on Mars exists can be explained by the concept of the social construction of reality. This sociological theory, introduced by Peter Berger and Thomas Luckmann, suggests that the reality of our world is shaped by our social interactions and habitual behaviors. People create society through their repeated actions and interactions, and then come to perceive this constructed world as the reality.
Cognitive dissonance typically refers to the discomfort one experiences when holding two conflicting beliefs or when behaviors and beliefs do not align. However, John appears to be asserting his belief rather than experiencing discomfort from any discord between his belief and evidence to the contrary.
The confirmation bias would suggest that John is seeking out or interpreting information in a way that confirms his preconceived notions, whereas the collective consciousness involves shared beliefs and moral attitudes which operate as a unifying force within society.