What does "cognitive dissonance" mean?

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when individuals hold contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. This concept, introduced by psychologist Leon Festinger, highlights how such internal conflicts can create feelings of unease. People are motivated to reduce this dissonance through various means, such as changing their beliefs, seeking new information, or rationalizing their choices. By understanding this phenomenon, one can see how it plays a crucial role in decision-making and attitude change.

The other options address aspects of cognitive processing but do not capture the essence of cognitive dissonance itself. Mental comfort when beliefs align refers to a state of harmony, which is the opposite of dissonance. Changing one’s beliefs could be a potential outcome of dissonance, but it does not define what cognitive dissonance actually is. Lastly, the act of deciding between two appealing choices does not inherently involve the conflict of contradictory beliefs; instead, it pertains to decision-making processes without necessarily involving dissonance. This distinguishes cognitive dissonance as a unique psychological challenge that individuals face.