Your therapist will guide you through strategies to challenge and reframe these inconsistent thoughts. This might involve questioning the validity of certain beliefs, exploring where they came from, and considering alternative perspectives. Persistent cognitive dissonance can contribute to or exacerbate mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. https://www.1spgservices.com/the-6-best-ways-to-prevent-and-cure-a-hangover/ Our Mental Health Treatment Programs focus on helping clients identify and resolve cognitive dissonance, promoting emotional stability and improved self-awareness.

Long-Term Mental Health Benefits

A man who learns that his eating habits raise his risk of illness feels the tension between his preferred behavior and the idea that he could be in danger. He might ease this feeling by telling himself that the health warning is exaggerated or, more productively, by deciding to take action to change his behavior. If a woman reads that her favorite politician has done something immoral, she could conclude that the charges have been invented by his enemies—or, instead, rethink her support.

• In that sense, the experience of cognitive dissonance is an opportunity to learn and grow, as long as we deal with it constructively and respond in a way that we choose and is beneficial.
• It’s also important to seek professional help if you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.
• Below, we’ll discuss how to help your clients identify their cognitive distortions.
• Making a decision between two or more attractive options often creates dissonance because each choice has both positive and negative aspects.
• Cognitive restructuring is the therapeutic process of identifying and challenging negative and irrational thoughts, such as those described in the birthday example.
• Cognitive biases can affect our decision-making and ability to assess risk.

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• For instance, someone with an eating disorder might simultaneously believe that they need to lose weight to be attractive, while also knowing that their current weight is dangerously low.
• Have you ever felt a sense of tension in your mind, but you weren’t sure why or what was causing it?
• It can be possible to reduce or eliminate cognitive dissonance by looking more closely at your beliefs and either adjusting them or changing your behavior to match them.
• People can reject misinformation if they experience cognitive dissonance and need to choose between what they believe and alternatives from trusted messengers like you.
• Psychologist Leon Festinger published the book A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance in 1957.

This mismatch creates a conflicting cognition that individuals Substance abuse are motivated to resolve. This group experienced more cognitive dissonance because the lack of sufficient reward heightened the tension between their beliefs and actions. Have you ever experienced a sense of mental tension but couldn’t determine its origin? You may have been experiencing cognitive dissonance, a psychological phenomenon that is often challenging to recognize at the moment. This phenomenon usually occurs when a person holds conflicting beliefs or when they act in a way that’s inconsistent with their values.

Key Principles of The Polyvagal Theory

The paradox is that we often go to great lengths to defend or justify our decisions, even when they conflict with our values. For example, someone might stay in a career they dislike because admitting it was the wrong choice feels too hard. However, the staunchest believers often had a different response when faced with conflicting beliefs. They usually didn’t accept that their existing beliefs had been proven false. Instead, they attempted to justify their dissonant beliefs by persuading others to join the group, maintaining their commitment.

How Cognitive Dissonance Affects Behavioral Health

So the threat is detected, but the Social Engagement System is still sufficiently resourced to send cues of safety, sociability, and co-regulation to the perpetrator. These cues suggest to the perpetrator that the victim is on their team and offering co-regulation, which might help the victim survive the ordeal. These responses are not easily accomplished, and cognitive dissonance treatment not everybody responds to trauma or abuse in this way. The effects may relate to the discomfort of the dissonance itself or the defense mechanisms a person adopts to deal with it. If that same person believes the COVID-19 pandemic is real but refuses to wear a mask, their values and behaviors would contradict each other.

• Created and developed by Stephen Porges, PhD, the theory describes the physiological/psychological states which underlie our daily behavior as well as challenges related to our wellness and mental health.
• From there, examining the source of dissonance, seeking professional help, engaging in self-reflection, and building a support network can all contribute to a successful treatment journey.
• Socrates was a Greek philosopher who emphasized the importance of questioning as a way to explore complex ideas and uncover assumptions.
• Polyvagal Theory is a framework that helps us understand the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in our emotional and behavioral responses to stressors.

Reduced Emotional Distress

For example, a small 2019 study notes that dissonance-based interventions may be helpful for people with eating disorders. This approach works by encouraging people to say things or role-play behaviors that contradict their beliefs about food and body image. However, cognitive dissonance can also be a tool for personal and social change.

What Is Cognitive Dissonance Theory?

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes at the same time. This internal conflict can lead to feelings of discomfort, anxiety, and confusion. It is a common experience in our daily lives, as we encounter situations where our beliefs and actions do not align.