What causes cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance arises when a person experiences discomfort because they hold contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values, or when their behavior conflicts with their beliefs. This psychological phenomenon often leads to feelings of tension or unease, prompting individuals to seek a resolution to the inconsistency.

When a person encounters information or experiences that contradict their existing beliefs, it creates a mental state of dissonance. To alleviate this discomfort, they may change their beliefs, justify their behavior, or dismiss the contradictory information. This process is a significant part of cognitive development and self-justification, as individuals strive for internal consistency between their beliefs and actions.

In contrast, scenarios that involve agreement between beliefs and actions or the clarity of beliefs do not typically incite cognitive dissonance, as they do not involve conflicting viewpoints. Similarly, reinforcement of existing schemas may maintain consistency; however, it does not trigger the dissonance that arises from contradictions.