Leon Festinger, the mastermind behind the theory of cognitive dissonance, introduced

this concept in 1956 after learning about a cult that believed the end of the world was coming to

pass in the coming years. Festinger became fascinated with the reaction of people who would

listen to the cult's teachings. The theory of cognitive dissonance states that “...we have an inner

drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony (or dissonance),

(McLeod). When there is an imbalance in our life, it is only appropriate to make an adjustment in

order to get the balance back in order.

From this theory, Festinger was able to gain an understanding of how and why the

human race needs to feel balanced. There are three main causes of cognitive dissonance,

effort, decision making, and forced compliance behavior. Effort includes taking time away out of

our lives to work on something that will benefit us or others. With regards to the theory of

cognitive dissonance, the final product as a result of our efforts are typically judged negatively

by ourselves. Especially due to the fact that we as humans expect the best outcome when we

put work into something.

When it comes to decision making, dissonance will always come as a result of the final

choice. “After the person makes a decision, each of the negative aspects of the chosen

alternative and positive aspects of the rejected alternative is dissonant with the decision,”

(Harmon-Jones, Mills). Whether we like it or not, there will always be a sense of doubt following

a final decision we may have recently made. It is what Festinger refers to as dissonance as a

part of his overall theory. There will always be pros and cons to the decisions we make. For

most people, their final decision will never be good enough.

Forced compliance behavior is when someone is forced to do something in public that

they secretly do not want to participate in. This is another example of dissonance. When

someone is bribed to preach something that they don’t necessarily believe in, Festinger

wondered if it would change the way they would present themselves. Forced compliance has
been studied greatly since Festinger's experiments with this idea, and it has been found that the

reward size does not matter, (Festinger, Carlsmith).

Cognitive dissonance is a theory that will be studied for the rest of time. People will

experience dissonance throughout the entirety of their lives. It is human nature to want to

experience balance and stand for what is morally correct. Especially in a divided world,

cognitive dissonance has taken over the mental state of millions of people.

Sources

Festinger, Leon, and James M. Carlsmith. “Cognitive Consequences of Forced

Compliance.” The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, vol. 58, no. 2, 1959, pp.
203–210., doi:10.1037/h0041593.

Harmon-Jones, Eddie, and Judson Mills. “An Introduction to Cognitive Dissonance Theory
and an Overview of Current Perspectives on the Theory.” Apa.org,
www.apa.org/pubs/books/Cognitive-Dissonance-Intro-Sample.pdf.

Mcleod, Saul. “Cognitive Dissonance.” Cognitive Dissonance Theory | Simply Psychology,

5 Feb. 2018, www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-dissonance.html.

Suls, Jerry. “Cognitive Dissonance of Leon Festinger.” Encyclopædia Britannica,

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 4 May 2021,
www.britannica.com/biography/Leon-Festinger/Cognitive-dissonance.