Module 6: Dissonance Reduction PDF

Module6 Need to Justify our actions: The costs and benefits of Dissonance Reduction Presented by Group 5 4C BA Communication Lesson 1: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance  UNDERSTANDING COGNITIVE DISSONANCE COGNITIVE DISSONANCE...

Module6 Need to Justify our actions: The costs and benefits of Dissonance Reduction Presented by Group 5 4C BA Communication Lesson 1: The Theory of Cognitive Dissonance  UNDERSTANDING COGNITIVE DISSONANCE COGNITIVE DISSONANCE is the discomfort from conflicting beliefs or behaviors (Festinger). WAYS TO REDUCE IT: 1. Change behavior: Align actions with beliefs. 2. Justify behavior: Modify beliefs to fit actions. 3. Add Cognitions: Introduce new thoughts to rationalize behavior. OVERSTIMATING THE PAIN OF DISAPPOINTMENT Impact bias: Overestimating the pain of future negative events that reduces the reduction of dissonance  DISSONANCE AND THE SELF CONCEPT Festinger's Theory: Any two conflicting thoughts (cognitions) can create dissonance. Aronson's Insight (1969): Dissonance is most intense when it threatens self-esteem.  DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS DISTORTING OUR THE PERMANENCE OF CREATING THE THE DECISION TO LIKES AND DISLIKES THE DECISIONS ILLUSION OF BEHAVE IMMORALLY The more important a IRREVOCABILITY POSTDECISION decision is, the greater the discomfort Choices are DISSONANCE increases influenced by (dissonance) it can discomfort or moral and ethical cause. feeling of discomfort dissonance and the issues after making a choice, need to justify the PERMANENCE especially if the choice. hard to undo or change decision was difficult. the decision  DISSONANCE, CULTURE, AND THE BRAIN DISSONANCE IN THE BRAIN Neuroscientists study brain activity during dissonance using fMRI (Functional magnetic resonance imaging ) technology. Striatum: involved in reward processing Prefrontal Complex: important for planning and decision-making DISSONANCE ACCROSS CULTURES Dissonance occurs in many cultures worldwide but differs based on cultural values 1. COLLECTIVIST SOCIETIES- The needs of the group matters more than the needs of individuals 2. INIVIDUALISTS SOCIETIES- Personal goals and desires are more considered Lesson 2: Self-Justication in Everyday Life THE JUSTIFICATION EFFORT The tendency for individuals to increase their liking for something they have worked hard to attain. It does not simply mean that most people enjoy difficult, unpleasant, painful experiences, nor that people enjoy things that are merely associated with unpleasant experiences. EXTERNAL JUSTIFICATION External Justification is a reason or an explanation for dissonant personal behavior that resides outside the individual INTERNAL JUSTIFICATION Internal Justification is the reduction of dissonance by changing something about oneself  Lesson 3.1 Counterattitudinal Advocacy  Counterattitudinal Advocacy Also known as "when saying becomes believing," occurs when we express an opinion or attitude that is different from our true beliefs. When we do this without much external justification, meaning we're not motivated by something outside of ourselves, our beliefs start to align more with the false opinions we express.  Lesson 3.2 Punishment and Self-Persuassion THE LASTING EFFECTS OF SELF-PERSUASION Self-persuasion is more permanent than direct attempts at persuasion precisely because the persuasion takes place internally and not because of external coaxing, threats, or pressure. NOT JUST TANGIBLE REWARDS OR PUNISHMENTS Insufficient Punishment is the dissonance aroused when individuals lack sufficient external justification for having resisted a desired activity or object, usually resulting in individuals devaluing the forbidden activity or object. A sizable reward or a severe punishment provides strong external justification for an action. They encourage compliance but prevent real attitude change. Permanent Attitude Change = Big Reward or Severe Punishment Smaller reward or Punishment = Momentary Compliance  Lesson 3.3 The Hypocrisy Paradigm  Understanding the Hypocrisy Paradigm The hypocrisy paradigm highlights the discomfort individuals feel when their actions contradict their expressed beliefs, leading to cognitive dissonance. This psychological state prompts a desire to resolve the inconsistency, often by adjusting behavior to align with attitudes or altering attitudes to justify past actions.  Evidence from the Field BEHAVIORAL TURNING THE ROLE OF PROMOTING CHANGE THROUGH INTENTIONS DISCOMFORT HEALTHIER SELF-REFLECTION INTO ACTIONS CHOICES Another study Research Although explored the A person who indicates that measuring this induced hypocrisy advises friends to recognizing the discomfort can be paradigm within stay fit but rarely gap between tricky, it's clear it the context of exercises may beliefs and plays a crucial road safety, change their actions role. specifically behavior if their encourages respecting speed hypocrisy is change. limits highlighted. The Hypocrisy Paradigm offers a powerful lens through which we can evaluate and adjust our behaviors, ensuring they truly reflect our beliefs. By facing our reflections, embracing the discomfort of cognitive dissonance, and taking steps to align our actions with our values, we can build stronger, straighter bridges between our islands of belief and action.  To apply the Hypocrisy Paradigm in our lives or encourage change in others, we can follow a simple action plan: Self- Seek Embrace Make Small Reflection Feedback Discomfort Adjustments Lesson3.4 Justifying Good Deeds and Harmful Acts  Justifying Good Deeds and Harmful Acts When we like people, we show it by treating them well. When we dislike people, we often show it, perhaps by going out of our way to snub them. However, it can also work the other way around: our own behavior toward a person affects whether we like or dislike that individual. Self-justification ensures that we never exactly feel the same way about someone again, regardless of how nice or harsh we may have been to them.  The Ben Franklin Effect: Justifying Acts of Kindness It is a psychological phenomenon where doing a favor for someone can actually make you like them more. This effect suggests that when we do something nice for someone, we tend to justify our actions by convincing ourselves that the person must be worth doing something nice for.  Dehumanizing the Enemy: Justifying the Cruelty All cultures are inclined to dehumanize their enemies by calling them cruel names or other nonhuman creatures. Not just cultures, but many individuals when they hold negative and prejudiced attitudes toward certain groups, they are calling them names might make it easier for them to treat others ruthlessly. The simplest way to dehumanize people is to shift the blame onto them. When this tactic succeeds, it ensures the persistence or even an increase in cruelty towards the victim. Some Final Thoughts on Dissonance: Learning from Our Mistakes When individuals make an important decision and invest heavily in it they feel a strong need to justify their actions and their investment. The more they give up and the harder they work, the greater the need to convince themselves that their views are correct. But if we spend all our time and energy defending our egos, we would never learn from our mistakes, bad decisions, and incorrect beliefs. Instead, we would ignore and justify them.  Overcoming Dissonance Although the process of self-justification is unconscious, once we know that we are prone to justify our actions, we can begin to monitor our thinking and, in effect, “catch ourselves in the act.” If we learn to examine our behavior critically and dispassionately, we stand a chance of breaking out of the cycle of action followed by self-justification followed by more committed action. Thank you very much! SPECIAL THANKS TO: BEYONCÉ GROUP 5 Angala, Khrissa Cabanit, Reeza Castillo, Zyra Estañol. Yumilka Esquivel, Jovhen