WHY THE AUDIENCE SHOULD CARE ABOUT COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
Cognitive Dissonance Seen In Politician Scandals
In our democratic government, when we vote for and elect politicians to represent us we expect them to abide by and follow the same laws as everyone else. We also expect them to respect the morals that they advocated for and were elected upon. However, as we have seen in numerous politician scandals throughout the years this does not always happen and many politicians are guilty of straying from their morals and beliefs that they were elected upon. Cognitive dissonance provides a possible explanation to these politician’s actions. In these following examples of political scandals these politicians probably experienced cognitive dissonance when they acted to reduce the discomfort they feel when two of their thoughts are inconsistent (Simply Psychology, n.d.).
Congressman Vance McAllister
http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/04/christian-values-congressman-vance-mcallister-was-reportedly-caught-on-video-kissing-a-staffer/360293/
Congressman McAllister was elected on his dedication to Christian and family values but then McAllister who has been married for 16 years and is a father of five was captured on surveillance tape kissing one of his staffers who is also married (The Wire, n.d.). Congressman McAllister probably experienced cognitive dissonance and acted to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) he felt when the two of his thoughts (cognitions) were inconsistent. He knows that he is a big advocate for family and Christian values but he also was attracted to his staffer (Simply Psychology, n.d.).
Elliot Spitzer Prostitution Scandal
http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/18/eliot-spitzer-wants-redemption-but-is-he-guilty-of-hypocrisy/
Eliot Spitzer, a former governor of New York, signed a law that stated that paying for sex was a class E felony. However, Spitzer then was found to be a client of a high priced prostitution service (Tapper, n.d.). Governor Spitzer probably experienced cognitive dissonance and acted to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) he felt when the two of his thoughts (cognitions) were inconsistent (Simply Psychology, n.d.). He knows that paying for sex is a felony but he did so anyways.
Cognitive Dissonance Seen In An Everyday Situation
With Avid Smokers : Smokers might experience cognitive dissonance. Even though research shows that smoking cigarettes is harmful to one’s health, some continue to smoke multiple packs a day and answer this cognitive dissonance by thinking “One more pack won’t hurt” or “ I work hard at work, I deserve this one cigarette”. They end up rationalizing their behavior (Simply Psychology, n.d.). This can also relate to alcoholics and drug addicts.
In our democratic government, when we vote for and elect politicians to represent us we expect them to abide by and follow the same laws as everyone else. We also expect them to respect the morals that they advocated for and were elected upon. However, as we have seen in numerous politician scandals throughout the years this does not always happen and many politicians are guilty of straying from their morals and beliefs that they were elected upon. Cognitive dissonance provides a possible explanation to these politician’s actions. In these following examples of political scandals these politicians probably experienced cognitive dissonance when they acted to reduce the discomfort they feel when two of their thoughts are inconsistent (Simply Psychology, n.d.).
Congressman Vance McAllister
http://www.thewire.com/politics/2014/04/christian-values-congressman-vance-mcallister-was-reportedly-caught-on-video-kissing-a-staffer/360293/
Congressman McAllister was elected on his dedication to Christian and family values but then McAllister who has been married for 16 years and is a father of five was captured on surveillance tape kissing one of his staffers who is also married (The Wire, n.d.). Congressman McAllister probably experienced cognitive dissonance and acted to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) he felt when the two of his thoughts (cognitions) were inconsistent. He knows that he is a big advocate for family and Christian values but he also was attracted to his staffer (Simply Psychology, n.d.).
Elliot Spitzer Prostitution Scandal
http://thelead.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/18/eliot-spitzer-wants-redemption-but-is-he-guilty-of-hypocrisy/
Eliot Spitzer, a former governor of New York, signed a law that stated that paying for sex was a class E felony. However, Spitzer then was found to be a client of a high priced prostitution service (Tapper, n.d.). Governor Spitzer probably experienced cognitive dissonance and acted to reduce the discomfort (dissonance) he felt when the two of his thoughts (cognitions) were inconsistent (Simply Psychology, n.d.). He knows that paying for sex is a felony but he did so anyways.
Cognitive Dissonance Seen In An Everyday Situation
With Avid Smokers : Smokers might experience cognitive dissonance. Even though research shows that smoking cigarettes is harmful to one’s health, some continue to smoke multiple packs a day and answer this cognitive dissonance by thinking “One more pack won’t hurt” or “ I work hard at work, I deserve this one cigarette”. They end up rationalizing their behavior (Simply Psychology, n.d.). This can also relate to alcoholics and drug addicts.