Final answer:
Cognitive dissonance is a psychological theory established by Leon Festinger, describing the discomfort felt when our actions and beliefs are in conflict, leading us to change our behaviors or beliefs to alleviate the discomfort.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are inconsistent is known as cognitive dissonance. This psychological phenomenon was first defined by psychologist Leon Festinger in 1957, and it occurs when there is a conflict between our behaviours, attitudes, or beliefs that challenges our positive self-image. Essentially, when our actions do not align with our beliefs or values, it can make us feel mentally uncomfortable.
To resolve cognitive dissonance, we may change our actions, justify our behavior or beliefs, or seek new information that aligns with our existing behaviors or beliefs. For example, a smoker who understands the health risks of smoking may quit to align their actions with their health beliefs, or they might downplay the risks associated with smoking to resolve the inconsistency. Research has shown that such dissonance can cause not only psychological discomfort but also physiological arousal and brain activity related to emotion and cognitive functioning.
Therefore, the experience of cognitive dissonance is an essential concept in understanding how individuals cope with and reduce psychological discomfort arising from inconsistencies in their thoughts and behaviors. It is a phenomenon observable across various situations, influencing how we make decisions, process information, and maintain our self-esteem or positive self-image.