Let us say that Louise is embroiled in a tumultuous love affair with Harry.
Idea A is, “I can’t live without Harry.” Louise genuinely sees a future without
Harry as meaningless. Idea B is, “I don’t think he’s good for me.” Louise is con-
vinced that Harry is selfish and abusive. There is a basic need to reduce cogni-
tive dissonance. As long as dissonance is allowed to continue, she is in a state of
misery.
According to Festinger, there are three ways in which human beings reduce
dissonance: (1) a change in behavior, (2) a change in one of the ideas, and (3) the
addition of a new idea.
In the case of Louise, a change in behaviorcan take place in one of several ways.
She may begin to date other men in order to prove to herself that she canlive
without Harry. Or she may impulsively move to a new area, miles away from
Harry, again trying to prove she isn’t completely dependent. Or she may take a
complete opposite tack. She may impulsively marry Harry, trying to set aside her
misgivings about him.
Louise can change one of her ideas.She does a lot of thinking and makes lengthy
entries in a personal journal. She changes idea A and concludes that “there are a
lot of fish in the sea” and that Harry is just one of many potential partners. Or,
conversely, she changes idea B and concludes that Harry isn’t selfish and abusive
at all. She has been misinterpreting his behavior. It is she that is wrong in her eval-
uations and perceptions.
Louise can add a new idea.She decides that what Harry needs is the right kind
of nurturing. He is like a little boy waiting to grow up. If they were to marry, she
would guide him and help him grow toward maturity and responsibility. With this
new idea in mind, she can proceed to either marry Harry or continue the rela-
tionship.
Any one of the three approaches described above can be used to reduce disso-
nance. The theory of cognitive dissonance can be generalized to many situations.
Gavin believes in the Commandment that says “Thou shalt not kill.” He also
believes that he should defend his country during time of war, and this may
require the killing of others. Denise believes that in order to be a good mother to
her children, she needs to devote all of her time to homemaking. She also believes
that she wants to have a career as a magazine editor. As is evident, we often face
situations that induce cognitive dissonance.(a) is a mental state created when opposed ideas exist simultaneously at a
conscious level.(b) Let’s say that Louise begins to date other men in order to prove to herself that she can
live without Harry. She is attempting to reduce dissonance by a.Answers: (a) Cognitive dissonance; (b) change in behavior.258 PSYCHOLOGY