You have read the research on the importance of exercise, and you want to begin an exercise program, but you haven't so far, which creates a great deal of cognitive dissonance for you. Describe the concept of cognitive dissonance, and explain how your cognitive dissonance regarding exercising might be reduced using each of five strategies

What will be an ideal response?

Answer will include that cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable clash between one's self-image, thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, or perceptions and one's behavior. Thus, a clash exists between the thought that you need to exercise for your health and your behavior of not exercising. In order to reduce the dissonance, you might (1) change your attitude and say that "Exercise is really not that important for good health.". You might also reduce dissonance by (2) adding consonant thoughts, such as saying "I always take the stairs and walk a great deal on campus between classes, so I am really exercising.". Dissonance might also be reduced by (3) changing the importance of the dissonant thoughts, such as saying "Even if I'm not exercising, my diet is healthy, and I take good care of my health, so a special exercise plan is not that necessary.". (4) Reducing the amount of one's perceived choice could also reduce dissonance, such as saying, "My schedule is so hectic that I really don't have time for exercise each day.". Lastly, you could