Explain the concept of cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort or tension that arises when an individual holds two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes, particularly when one of these conflicts is related to behaviors that you are engaged in. This discomfort often motivates the person to resolve the inconsistency in a way that reduces the dissonance, which may involve changing one of the conflicting beliefs, acquiring new information that outweighs the dissonant beliefs, or minimizing the importance of the conflict.

This phenomenon is essential in understanding human behavior and decision-making, as individuals tend to seek harmony in their thoughts and actions. For instance, if someone values health but continues to smoke, they might experience cognitive dissonance and may choose to quit smoking or change their perception about smoking to alleviate their discomfort.

The other concepts presented describe different psychological states or phenomena that do not encapsulate the essence of cognitive dissonance, thus underlining the significance of the mental tension experienced when faced with conflicting thoughts or actions.