Cognitive Dissonance Theory: A Crash Course

Chances are good that you’re heard of cognitive dissonance theory, but how well do you know the ins and outs of it? My job today is to demystify cognitive dissonance. By the end of this video, you’ll have a better sense of what cognitive dissonance is and what effects it produces. Even more, you’ll know more about why and when it works the way it does.

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[AndyLuttrellPsych]

Okay, so ever since I posted this video in 2016, people have been leaving comments quibbling with the smoking example at 1:06 . Many of you have argued that “I smoke” and “Smoking is unhealthy” are *not* dissonant. I get it, and some of you have provided reasonable takedowns, but 6 years later, I want to clarify this point and suggest that it’s actually still a reasonable example of dissonance.


First, the example comes straight out of Leon Festinger’s 1957 book, “A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance, ” which laid out the theory that would go onto generate 65 years of research:
“Let us now examine how dissonance may be reduced, using as an illustration the example of the habitual cigarette smoker who has learned that smoking is bad for his health. He may have acquired this information from a newspaper or magazine, from friends, or even from some physician. This knowledge is certainly dissonant with the cognition that he continues to smoke.” (pgs. 5-6)


Festinger also makes a lot of the same points plenty of this video’s commenters have made, pointing out why a person may not think of “I smoke” and “Smoking is unhealthy” as inconsistent:
“A person may know that smoking is bad for him and yet continue to smoke… Thus, the person who continues to smoke, knowing that it is bad for his health, may also feel (a) he enjoys smoking so much it is worth it; (b) the chances of his health suffering are not as serious as some would make out; (c) he can’t always avoid every possible dangerous contingency and still live; and (d) perhaps even if he stopped smoking he would put on weight which is equally bad for his health. So, continuing to smoke is, after all, consistent with his ideas about smoking.” (p. 2)


But the point is that confronting one’s own smoking behavior AND the knowledge that it’s unhealthy shines a light on a discrepancy that needs to be rationalized. That’s the whole premise of dissonance theory. And to be clear about what dissonance is, here’s exactly how Festinger defined it:


“two elements are in a dissonant relation if, considering these two alone, the obverse of one element would follow from the other. To state it a bit more formally, x and y are dissonant if not-x follows from y.” (p. 13)


In other words, it seems reasonable (assuming one has any interest in their health) that “not smoking” would follow from “knowing smoking is bad for you.” But critically, Festinger acknowledges that not all dissonance is created equal. What’s dissonant for you may not be for me:


“…two cognitive elements may be dissonant for a person living in one culture and not for a person living in another, or for a person with one set of experiences and not for a person with another.” (p. 15)


But to the extent that two thoughts may be contradictory, the theory proposes that we seek consistency. Maybe that’s by quitting smoking. Maybe it’s by convincing ourselves that we’re willing to take the risk. Maybe that’s by denying the science. All of those can happen, but they all serve the same goal: making sure we don’t hold incompatible beliefs (or at least convincing ourselves that we don’t.)

Anyhow, could I have picked a better example? Yeah, probably. But I think the point still stands. Now if I could just retroactively pull the camera further from my face and use lights that didn't reflect in my glasses, this video would be golden.

[marcoruiz]

school should make mental health a mandatory subject.

[napalmhardcore]

The way it was explained to me is that it is the ability to hold two opposing beliefs and think them both to be equally true. I regularly experience cognitive dissonance. It originally started as just keeping an open mind, or exercising empathy (the ability to be able to put yourself in someone else's shoes). I then realised that when I analysed both sides of an inconclusive argument that I could simultaneously see both sides as being true. Basically, my brain is at war with itself much of the time and I have very little conviction in matters of opinion (as opposed to fact). I probably come off to some people as simply being indecisive and to an extent I am, but it is normally due to internal conflict. I've heard it said that if you overthink things, you can drive yourself mad. I think there is some truth to that.

[komarevo]

Cognitive dissonance, my friend, is when ego is ashamed of accepting the truth, because accepting means that we were an idiots not to recognize it before. Ego can not accept facing the environment where the truth was already fluctuating. It's all about EGO and holding mental possessions same as material. Basically... INSECURITY.

[shilohmorris]

Another example is cheating on your partner. The cognitive dissonance in that situation causes great anxiety, so one might start to justify their actions by saying things like "well my wife doesn't have sex with me very often" or "she doesn't appreciate me" to alleviate the stress.

[nulladiessinerosa]

This reminds me of the "doublethink" in George Orwell's novel 1984. That's a very extreme version of cognitive dissonance, where the population has been trained to just not think about anything too hard. It also shows up in Avatar the Last Airbender! When Zuko's actions and his thoughts don't align, he ends up physically ill from the cognitive dissonance. Fascinating stuff tbh. Great video!

[alicewolf]

This is such a big part of my life, and I never realized.

[whimsicalmusic]

For those of you who need to know this: you are not alone. I wish you all the happiest of experiences and I hope y'all don't experience any dissonance about the things that bring yourself and others joy. Always remember that kind acts will bring peace to your heart.

[roflolmaomgf]

I think the example should be more like: *"I smoke because I believe it has some benefits"* & *"But smoking is unhealthy, is it?"* And then these two matters endlessly clash inside your brain without resolve until you crash.

As for the original parable *"I smoke cigarettes"* it is actually a fact and void of any convictions, he could be absolutely convinced and admit to the fact that it is unhealthy but smoke regardless because of addiction. So I believe the dissonance arises when there are two incoherent convictions that are both compelling when examined individually, yet in contradiction when compared to each other.

[rodrigorivera]

I was struggling with the actual meaning of "cognitive dissonance", until I watched this video. Thanks man!

[Luckyy]

So simply put, it’s contradicting one’s own thoughts...it’s also a sign of a flexible mind able to hold more than one possibility...it can make you go insane if you’re too open minded

[kidzrang]

This was an amazing explaination of the meaning of '' cognitivte dissonance ''. You have a real talent of explaining stuff well, thank you!

[ggstylz]

In an age where contradiction is guaranteed, cognitive dissonance is to be expected. It’s the current default and a natural consequence of a complex life culminating in pertinent questions.

[arqam]

So my whole life is cognitive dissonance

[onetallgirl]

I have struggled to understand cognitive dissonance for YEARS! And that man just explained it so clearly in less than 7 minutes! I love you Andy Luttrell, I love you ALOT! lol! Thank you so much for this video!

[ayyazhussain]

Thank you for this video. The physical pain that he was explaining in the video is true! I have been struggling with IBS as a side effect. The pain is really bad and can be hard to handle. I had always thought it was 'anxiety' however it isn't. So don't mix the two up, Anxiety in my belief, some sort of side effect of cognitive dissonance. Please be aware and always be positive. Positive thinking and self therapy is crucial. I hope nobody goes through the pain I am. It's not good at all. Doctors can not help. Medicines will not help. The answer you want to seek and find lies within yourself.

[hughmungus]

no matter what i am going through, I can make myself smile and briefly feel happy by telling myself that god loves me. A lot of my depression comes from feeling unloved and unworthy of being loved, so by telling myself that someone loves me, it lessens for a brief period of time.

[madamesadie]

Thank you so much for this. I'm not a bright person, and I find it incredibly hard to grasp when people talk about big concepts like this. But you made it make sense. Thank you.

[charleswalker]

I just learned of this term recently. I took a little initiative and looked into it, thus stumbling across your video. I keep looking into things such as this due to high anxiety and honestly just feeling over opinionated. People like yourself who take your knowledge and sum it up as well as you do, do such a great service to those who look to help themselves but even those who just simply wish to gain a greater understanding. I thank you for all that you do! 🖤

[hazza_]

In my experience I was bullied, called names so much being called "gay" like it's a bad thing triggering my anxiety even though I'm not gay, this lead to months and years of me trying to figure it out what my sexuality was even though I am straight, I thought I was queer as I didn't know what I was because I have no sexual attraction to men. This lead to me feeling that I was gay, I tried to stop being "gay" so I changed my behaviour acting like a tough person even though I'm not, saying awful things. Until a few months ago I questioned it, why am I wasting all my brain power trying to figure this out. I realised that I wasn't gay, these bullies had conflicted my mind so much that I questioned my own sexuality. It played on my mind so much. I couldn't escape, luckily getting into some sort of focus, going outside on walks, exercise and good sleep helped. I found space in my brain. I could think for the first time in years. I will try to continue living this healthy lifestyle. Getting out a lot and going out with friends. I suffered so much, I think back to myself sweating in bed not being able to hold a conversation with family, mum, dad, brother. My heart skipping beats, social anxiety. Bad grades. An unhealthy lifestyle, stress eating. Suicidal intentions. If I can make it out of the pain and suffering to find myself once again YOU CAN TOO! Live healthily and try new things. I am 16 by the way and suffered from this since I was 13. I am going to go to therapy maybe soon regularly because I have more independance now, it will help just having someone there to talk to and to guide me reminding me of who I am. I hope to get a girlfriend soon. Good luck YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!