Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Term Paper # 2363

Psychology > Behaviorism
Psychology > Theory

A detailed description of the cognitive dissonance theory and how humans make decisions according to this theory.

1,640 words () | 3 sources | 2001 United States

Paper Summary:

A detailed explanation of the cognitive dissonance theory. The author examines how humans make decisions according to this theory and provides a definition, explanation and example of how the cognitive dissonance theory functions in everyday life.

From the Paper:

"Cognitive Dissonance Theory, developed by Leon Festinger, is concerned with the relationships among cognitions. Cognition, for the purpose of this theory, may be thought of as piece of knowledge. The knowledge may be about an attitude, an emotion, a behavior, a value, and so on. Cognitive Dissonance is how do human beings make decisions. What triggers a person to take action at any given point? These are some of the questions that will be answered with explanation of Cognitive Dissonance, as well as many of other related theories covered in Myers Social Psychology."