What is cognitive dissonance? Provide an example that illustrates how cognitive dissonance can lead people to change their attitudes. Make sure to explain the cause of the cognitive dissonance in your example
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: A good answer will include the following key points. Examples will vary.
? Cognitive dissonance is a state of tension that occurs when a person simultaneously holds two cognitions that are psychologically inconsistent or when a person's belief is incongruent with his or her behavior.
? For example, if someone voted for a politician, but later heard evidence that the politician was corrupt, they would experience cognitive dissonance because their behavior (voting for the politician) conflicts with the idea that they are corrupt.
? Because you cannot "un-vote" for a candidate, the only way to reduce the cognitive dissonance would be to hold a belief that is not in conflict with the behavior.
? Paradoxically, therefore, a person may become a more ardent supporter of a politician they voted for after evidence of corruption emerges.
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