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Cognitive Dissonance: Difference between revisions
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We also don’t like to second-guess our choices, even if later they are proven wrong or unwise. By second-guessing ourselves, we suggest we may not be as wise or as right as we’ve led ourselves to believe.<ref>[http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/10/19/fighting-cognitive-dissonance-the-lies-we-tell-ourselves/ Fighting Cognitive Dissonance & The Lies We Tell Ourselves]</ref> | We also don’t like to second-guess our choices, even if later they are proven wrong or unwise. By second-guessing ourselves, we suggest we may not be as wise or as right as we’ve led ourselves to believe.<ref>[http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/10/19/fighting-cognitive-dissonance-the-lies-we-tell-ourselves/ Fighting Cognitive Dissonance & The Lies We Tell Ourselves]</ref> | ||
=Cause and Effects= | =Cause and Effects= | ||
Dissonance is created when your brain attempts to process information that is inconsistent with other information that it holds to be true. This can be as simple as the example of the color chart on the right or the much more difficult dissonance that results when information is received that is opposed to a person's fundamental beliefs. | [[Image:Cognitive-dissonance.jpg|right|thumb|370px|A simple example of '''''cognitive dissonance''''']] | ||
Dissonance is created when your brain attempts to process information that is inconsistent with other information that it holds to be true. '''This can be as simple as the example of the color chart on the right''' or the much more difficult dissonance that results when information is received that is opposed to a person's fundamental beliefs. | |||
Most people will avoid situations or information sources that give rise to feelings of uneasiness, or dissonance. If this uneasiness is not reduced by changing one's belief, the dissonance can be resolved by misperception, rejection or refutation of the information, seeking support from others who share the alternative beliefs, and attempting to persuade others. | Most people will avoid situations or information sources that give rise to feelings of uneasiness, or dissonance. If this uneasiness is not reduced by changing one's belief, the dissonance can be resolved by '''misperception, rejection or refutation''' of the information, '''seeking support from others who share the alternative beliefs''', and '''attempting to persuade others'''. | ||
Cognitive dissonance leads people to accept any information that affirms their already established opinions, rather than referencing material that contradicts them. For example, a person who is politically conservative will only read newspapers and watch news commentary that is from conservative news sources. This bias appears to be particularly apparent when faced with deeply held beliefs, i.e., when a person has 'high commitment' to his or her attitudes. | Cognitive dissonance leads people to '''accept any information that affirms their already established opinions''', rather than referencing material that contradicts them. For example, a person who is politically conservative will only read newspapers and watch news commentary that is from conservative news sources. This bias appears to be particularly apparent when faced with deeply held beliefs, i.e., when a person has 'high commitment' to his or her attitudes. | ||
The process of attempting to eliminate cognitive dissonance is referred to as '''''dissonance reduction'''''. Many Message Believers deal with the dissonance created by William Branham's failed prophecies by avoiding websites like this. A number of Message Ministers have supported this approach by preaching that members of their churches should avoid the internet altogether. | The process of attempting to eliminate cognitive dissonance is referred to as '''''dissonance reduction'''''. Many Message Believers deal with the dissonance created by William Branham's failed prophecies by avoiding websites like this. A number of Message Ministers have supported this approach by preaching that members of their churches should avoid the internet altogether. | ||