For example, a smoker might quit smoking or instead rationalize their behavior by saying other habits are just as dangerous. This study helps us understand how Festinger’s classic theory of cognitive dissonance can be used in a practical way to help people struggling with difficult emotions and behaviors. Counseling can help people recognize their dissonant thoughts and change them to more adaptive thoughts that support the changes they want to make to lead happier and healthier lives. The mental state of cognitive dissonance can actually have a very powerful effect on our thoughts and behaviors. We will do a number of things to try to restore harmony between our conflicting thoughts and behaviors.

The theory behind cognitive dissonance

The factor loading ranges from −1 to 1, and its square represents the percentage of variation that the factor can explain. In research, a threshold of 0.7 is commonly used as the standard, with values greater than this being acceptable [88]. Another method used in this study to test composite validity is the Average Variance Extracted (AVE), which represents the proportion of the observed variable values that the latent variable can measure. AVE is used to evaluate the reliability and discriminant validity and is considered good when its value exceeds 0.5 [88]. Overall, the reliability and validity analysis results for this study are presented in Table 2.

Recognizing, resolving, and releasing internal conflict

The dissonance between two contradictory ideas, or between an idea and a behavior, creates discomfort. Festinger argued that cognitive dissonance is more intense when a person holds many dissonant views and those views are important to them. Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort a person feels when their behavior does not align with their values or beliefs. Recent research has sought to account for the strikingly long-lasting ability of maladaptive drug-stimulus associations to influence behavior and provoke relapse.

What does cognitive dissonance feel like?

• This involves developing a conscious awareness of our emotional states and learning strategies to manage and express them in a healthy and constructive manner.
• Motivational Interviewing (MI) and motivational enhancement therapy (MET) are approaches that target motivation and decisional balance of the patient.
• An alcoholic may know the dangers of drinking but likely tell themselves, “It’s just one drink.” Someone spiraling into addiction knows that what they’re doing is harmful.

For example, Islam, Whelan, and Brooks [93] found that self-efficacy is negatively related to information overload. Similarly, Yener et al. [100] found that self-efficacy helps mitigate the impact of information overload on job stress and job burnout among information workers. The findings suggest that self-efficacy plays a negative role in regulating the impact of cognitive dissonance https://ecosoberhouse.com/ on discontinuous usage intentions, which provides important insights for the design and development of pan-entertainment mobile live broadcast platforms. The “cognition-emotion-behavior intention” framework has been widely used to understand user intentions, but it has largely been limited to the consideration of cognitive factors, such as attitudes and beliefs [94].

The clashing cognitions may include ideas, beliefs, or the knowledge that one has behaved in a certain way. Changing the conflicting cognition is one of the most effective ways of dealing with dissonance but it is also one of the most difficult—particularly in the case of deeply held values and beliefs, such as religious or political leanings. Cognitive dissonance can even influence how people feel about and view themselves, leading to negative feelings of self-esteem and self-worth. Sometimes you might find yourself engaging in behaviors that are opposed to your own beliefs due to external expectations at work, school, or in a social situation. This might involve going along with something due to peer pressure or doing something at work to avoid getting fired. There are a number of different situations that can create conflicts that lead to cognitive dissonance.

• Cue exposure is another behavioural technique based on the classical conditioning theory and theories of cue reactivity and extinction12,13.
• The RP model highlights the significance of covert antecedents such as lifestyle patterns craving in relapse.
• Furthermore, China boasts the highest number of smartphone users globally, with the issue of problematic smartphone usage among university students becoming increasingly pronounced [73, 74].
• Someone recovering from substance abuse is not immune from the continuing battle with cognitive dissonance.

Accepting negative thoughts and emotions rather than judging them may allow individuals to experience less negative emotion and, ultimately, foster better psychological health. Therapy is delivered in a supportive, cognitive dissonance addiction encouraging environment where people get the opportunity to share ideas and stories. This collaboration leads to mutual understanding, paving the way for recovery from alcohol (and any other substance) addiction.

Cognitive behavioural interventions in addictive disorders

• Inhibition of GABA activity could lead to an overall increase in neural activity throughout the brain, which might lead to the formation of stronger associations than would normally occur, including maladaptive drug-context associations.
• Friends and relatives who learn that an addict holds a negative view of drug (or behavior) and is motivated to quit may be surprised to learn of a sudden shift in preference for the drug.
• They may rationalize their behavior or deny the severity of the problem, even when presented with evidence of its harmful effects.
• The important thing is to stay connected to yourself and make positive changes when needed.
• Festinger and Carlsmith (1959) investigated if making people perform a dull task would create cognitive dissonance through forced compliance behavior.

Cognitive Dissonance and Addiction: The Psychological Struggle of Addictive Behaviors