Final answer:
Cognitive dissonance, a true statement, describes psychological discomfort that occurs when there is an inconsistency between one's beliefs, feelings, and behavior. It arises particularly when these inconsistencies threaten our positive self-image, leading individuals to either change their behavior or beliefs to regain a sense of consistency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cognitive dissonance occurs when we perceive an inconsistency between our beliefs, feelings, and behavior, and this statement is indeed true. When individuals have cognitions (beliefs or thoughts), attitudes, or behaviors that are inconsistent with their positive self-image, they experience cognitive dissonance. It leads to psychological discomfort because it disrupts our sense of consistency. For example, if someone believes that smoking is harmful but continues to smoke, they experience a conflict between their belief and behavior. To alleviate this discomfort, a person can either change their behavior (like quitting smoking) or alter their beliefs (such as thinking the health risks are exaggerated).
To solidify understanding, cognitive dissonance is not just psychologically uncomfortable; research shows it can also produce physiological arousal and brain activity related to emotions and cognitive functions. Such dissonance is particularly evident after making important decisions, which can lead to post-decision dissonance. People strive to maintain a consistent self-concept, and when dissonance arises, they are motivated to reconcile the inconsistency to restore psychological harmony.