Handling Cognitive Dissonance Strategies

Avoiding Unpleasant Information

Introduction

Oftentimes, the information we encounter in life presents conflicting beliefs and attitudes, creating a form of cognitive dissonance. This internal struggle can leave individuals feeling uncomfortable and uneasy. While it is impossible to completely avoid cognitive dissonance, understanding its nature and how it affects our thought processes can help us navigate these situations more effectively.

Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance refers to the uncomfortable feeling that arises when holding two beliefs or attitudes that seem to contradict one another. It is widely known that people strive to maintain consistency among their beliefs, values, and actions. Should any inconsistencies arise, individuals will attempt to restore balance through one of several methods:

• Adding More Beliefs to Outweigh Dissonant Beliefs: Individuals may deliberately expose themselves to new information that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs. This allows them to strengthen their original stance while maintaining harmony.
• Reducing the Importance of the Conflicting Belief: Rather than adjusting their primary belief, people may downplay the significance of the conflicting belief. This enables them to retain their initial perspective without facing the full brunt of the dissonance.
• Changing Beliefs: Modifying one's beliefs to match the conflicting cognition is one of the most direct approaches to resolving cognitive dissonance. This method requires a significant amount of introspection and open-mindedness.

Coping Strategies for Cognitive Dissonance

Some common reactions to cognitive dissonance include:

• Anxiety: Those experiencing cognitive dissonance may sense a risk of damage to their self-image or goals.
• Embarrassment: This response can occur when information challenges one's ego or feelings of competence.
• Regret: People might regret past actions that led to the emergence of incongruent beliefs.
• Sadness: Feelings of sadness can stem from the realization that one's actions are at odds with their values.
• Shame: Cognitive dissonance can result in shameful feelings, especially if the conflicting beliefs involve moral issues.
• Stress: Experiencing stress is common when attempting to reconcile opposing beliefs.

While these responses can be distressing, they serve as important indicators that cognitive dissonance is present and serves as motivation to address the imbalance.

The Role of Avoidance in Cognitive Dissonance

In addition to seeking out new information or altering beliefs to reduce cognitive dissonance, individuals may also engage in avoidance strategies to circumvent feelings of discomfort. These tactics can include:

• Ignoring or Discrediting the Information: Some people may choose not to confront conflicting information head-on but instead opt to dismiss or downplay it. This approach allows them to maintain their current beliefs while avoiding any potential feelings of cognitive dissonance.
• Justifying One's Actions or Beliefs: By rationalizing why they hold certain views or engaging in behaviors that contradict those beliefs, individuals can justify their actions and alleviate the discomfort associated with cognitive dissonance.
• Distracting from the Issue: Engaging in activities that occupy one's mind is another form of avoidance. This strategy serves to divert one's focus away from the source of cognitive dissonance and can help reduce feelings of discomfort.

Conclusion

Cognitive dissonance is an inherent aspect of human thought processes, often leading to feelings of discomfort and unease when conflicting beliefs arise. While individuals cannot completely avoid cognitive dissonance, understanding the different ways to cope with it—including seeking new information, reducing the importance of conflicting beliefs, changing one's beliefs, engaging in avoidance strategies, or addressing the inconsistency directly—can help reduce feelings of distress and promote growth and change.