Personal Career and Financial Security Ch 13

Cognitive Dissonance

• Definition: Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person encounters information that contradicts their existing beliefs or models. This creates a state of mental discomfort or disharmony.

• Mechanism: The individual may resist or dismiss contradictory information, change the subject, or even become angry or withdraw. This is driven by a desire to maintain consistency in their worldview.

• Physiological Reaction: Cognitive dissonance can result in physical reactions like increased blood pressure, nervousness, and irritability, similar to the discomfort of a basic need like hunger or thirst. The stronger the contradiction and the more deeply ingrained the model, the stronger the discomfort.

• Controlling Models: Those seeking to control others often impose models early in life (e.g., the Hitler Youth, Young Pioneers) to create ingrained beliefs and unwavering obedience, much like the Janissaries.

• Janissaries: Historically, Janissaries were elite soldiers in the Ottoman Empire, trained from childhood to be fiercely loyal and obedient to the rulers, even blindly following orders without questioning. Early indoctrination created a sort of "military robot" mindset.

• Handling Contradictions: Presenting conflicting information requires sensitivity. If someone is strongly invested in their model, the presenter should be polite and understand that discomfort is likely.

• Avoiding Dissonance: Acknowledging imperfections in one's models and actively seeking alternative viewpoints can reduce personal stress. A willingness to admit fallibility keeps one open to new perspectives.

Importance of Open-mindedness

• Tolerance: Embracing the possibility of error in one's models fosters tolerance for others' views.

• Maturity: Accepting one's potential for mistakes is a sign of maturity and open-mindedness.

Historical Examples

• Flat Earth Model: The example of someone believing the earth is a flat disk, contradicting the observed phenomenon of ships disappearing hull first when viewed from the shore, illustrates how cognitive dissonance can arise from perceived contradictions.

• Religious and Scientific Conflicts: Historical examples like the persecution of Galileo for promoting the heliocentric model demonstrate how strong belief systems can cause opposition to new ideas. Cases such as Giordano Bruno shows the dangers of cognitive dissonance.

• Janissary System: The Janissaries highlight how deeply influencing someone's model shapes obedience and loyalty. The Janissaries are a prime historical example of how controlling models can affect beliefs and behavior. Creating loyalty through total control of belief structures was a strategy applied historically by controlling individuals.