Final answer:
Teddy likely experiences high levels of cognitive dissonance, which is a psychological discomfort arising from conflicting behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs that challenge one's self-perception.
Step-by-step explanation:
Teddy is uncomfortable unless he feels he is certain about his understanding of the world. Psychology research suggests Teddy likely experiences high levels of cognitive dissonance.
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological discomfort that arises from a conflict in a person's behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs that runs counter to one's positive self-perception. Teddy's need for certainty suggests that he seeks to maintain consistency in his understanding of the world to avoid this discomfort. When faced with information that contradicts his beliefs or understanding,
Teddy may experience discomfort, aligning with the concept of cognitive dissonance. This experience is a common psychological phenomenon and indicates a desire to resolve conflicting information to restore mental harmony. Psychology, particularly with Freud's theories, also indicates that anxiety results from conflicts in the mind's different aspects, such as the ego, id, and superego, and that various defense mechanisms may be employed to reduce this anxiety.