1. © POSbase 2005 Cognitive Dissonance Cognitive dissonance is a discrepancy between two cognitions which result in a state of arousal that is psychologically uncomfortable. cognitions Therefore, a person tries to reduce dissonance. In typical studies, people act in a way that contradicts their attitudes, for examples belief-disconfirmation (Festinger et al, 1956), putting too much effort into an activity (Aronson & Mills, 1959), or complying with engaging in counterattitudinal behavior (Festinger & Carlsmith, 1959).Festinger et al, 1956Aronson & Mills, 1959Festinger & Carlsmith, 1959 Contributor

2. © POSbase 2005 Cognitive Dissonance When people notice that their belief is disconfirmed, their effort is exaggerated, or their compliance runs against their own attitudes, people often reduce the tension between their behavior and their attitude by changing the attitude in the direction of their action. For example, they continue to believe what has been disconfirmed, or they adopt attitudes that justify their effort or compliance, respectively.

3. © POSbase 2005 Cognitive Dissonance Their have been alternatives and revisions to cognitive dissonance theory:  Self-perception theory  Impression-management theory  Self-consistency  „The New Look“  Self-affirmation (Source: Harmon-Jones & Mills, 1999)Harmon-Jones & Mills, 1999