Cognitive dissonance: Definition, effects, and examples

This is because they have found a way to justify the unjustifiable and one of the ways that they are able to do this is by cognitive dissonance. Collective motivational interviewing (CMI) breaks new ground by extending the theory of motivational interviewing (MI) beyond the individual to include the social network. Our developed CMI approach makes a clear contribution to the theory of MI and can potentially benefit people with substance use problems with complex needs.

How does cognitive dissonance affect the recovery process for addicts?

Presently, we are refining CMI and have been applying this approach to additional clients and CSOs. We call for more studies to monitor its fidelity and wider application in populations of individuals affected by substance use disorders. The neurobiological basis of mindfulness in substance use and craving have also been described in recent literature40. One example of this type of psychological research is the studies originally done by Leon Festinger in the 1950’s. This term simply means that when we have two conflicting thoughts (cognitions), or if we behave in ways that conflict with our beliefs or values, we experience an unpleasant feeling of cognitive dissonance. Depending on the situation, this uncomfortable feeling of dissonance can be mild or severe, and often motivates us to get back to what’s known as “consonance”.

Dissonance-Based Therapy

A smoker, for example, who knows that smoking causes cancer, experiences cognitive dissonance if she continues to smoke. But that is difficult, so most smokers convince themselves that the links between smoking and lung cancer are not quite as strong as doctors claim (modify belief, or avoid the information). In the context of dieting, a person who intends to lose weight has dissonance because of his conflicting strong desires for fattening foods and to lose weight. After an overindulging evening in a special event, he may experience an intense feeling of discomfort (regret and guilt) for his behavior. He may reduce the discomfort by either downplaying the importance of weight loss, or engage in a rigorous exercise the day after.

What Are the Emotional and Cognitive Conflicts in Addiction?

It is easier for them to add further delusions to their beliefs than to accept that they were wrong in the first place. People are able to believe fully in things that would not make much rational sense to other people. They can also engage in behavior that will be obviously illogical to other people, but that person will believe they have a rational explanation for this behavior. This explains why people are able to drink themselves to death even though their family and friends are doing all they can to help. The addict is not being deliberately willful is because they believe their own justifications. It is believed that part of the reason for why these people can act so irrationally is cognitive dissonance.

Successfully managing cognitive dissonance significantly increases the chances of maintaining long-term sobriety. This highlights the importance of addressing cognitive dissonance in addiction recovery programs. https://ecosoberhouse.com/ Cognitively, individuals with addiction may face a mental conflict between their desire to continue using substances and their awareness of the negative impact it has on their health and relationships.

The Nature of the Belief

Furthermore, cognitive dissonance causes individuals to avoid situations or people that may challenge their beliefs or create dissonance. They may actively exclude themselves from discussions or environments that introduce opposing ideas to preserve their sense of harmony and avoid discomfort. Individuals may attempt to reduce cognitive dissonance by changing their beliefs, modifying their behavior, or rationalizing their actions. Harmful and painful addictive cognitive dissonance and addiction behaviors require a maze of lies, distortions, and psychotic denial to fend off the natural corrective consequences of cognitive and behavioral dissonance resulting from addiction. We are driven to reconcile those conflicting thoughts, beliefs, and desires or behaviors to preserve harmony in our minds and make ourselves feel rationally better. Discovering new information that conflicts with something that you already believe can create feelings of discomfort.

The Impact of Cross-Addiction on Information Sharing Behaviors on Social Networking Sites

• For example, a smoker might quit smoking or instead rationalize their behavior by saying other habits are just as dangerous.
• Rajiv a 45 year old gentleman, presented with long history of alcohol dependence.
• One process identified, long-term potentiation (LTP), has features that parallel key aspects of learning.
• Individuals may try to convince themselves and others that they have control over their substance use or exclude themselves from the consequences of their behavior.
• Gradually he began to drink before meetings or interactions (maladaptive coping and negative reinforcement).
• Another study documented structural changes in the frontal and parietal cortex of 3- and 4-year-old children who had been exposed prenatally to methamphetamine (Cloak et al., 2009).

The drug-exposed children also exhibited poorer long-term spatial memory and visual/motor integration. Another study documented structural changes in the frontal and parietal cortex of 3- and 4-year-old children who had been exposed prenatally to methamphetamine (Cloak et al., 2009). Prenatal exposures to a number of other drugs have significant deleterious effects on cognition and behavior that may not rise to the level of mental retardation.

• Ultimately, changing the belief that is out of step with reality is also an effective way to reduce dissonance.
• Craving distorts addicts’ ability to process information in a manner that promotes drug use.
• When faced with a deadline, you could even cut corners to accomplish a task, but then experience discomfort when it’s done because you value hard work.

The ones that received a dollar were more likely to rate the activity highly. Cognitive dissonance isn’t just a vague psychological theory — in fact, contradictory beliefs appear in our lives more often than we might want to admit. The important thing is to stay connected to yourself and make positive changes when needed. Understanding these factors can be beneficial in addressing and managing cognitive dissonance during the recovery journey. Recognizing cognitive dissonance is the first step toward addressing and resolving internal conflict.

• To cope with this discomfort, you may look for things that justify your choice.
• It can just be so obvious to these other people that the substance abuse is causing problems, and that the individual engaging in it needs to end the behaviour.
• For example, a small 2019 study notes that dissonance-based interventions may be helpful for people with eating disorders.
• Various psychological factors were significant in initiating and maintaining Rajiv’s dependence on alcohol.
• Negative emotional states, such as anxiety, depression, anger, boredom are often dealt with by using substances, interpersonal conflicts that the person cannot cope with effectively or resolve and the social -pressure to use a substance31.

Is Smartphone Usage Truly Smart? A Qualitative Investigation of IT Addictive Behaviors

Someone spiraling into addiction knows that what they are doing isn’t good for them on some level. Still, they find substance abuse a more comfortable path because it blocks unwanted ideas, feelings, and responsibilities. In fact, Festinger suggested that in some cases, people cope with inconsistency by disregarding it entirely and simply blindly believing whatever they want. In other words, they reduce cognitive dissonance by ignoring things that contradict their beliefs. Another good example of cognitive dissonance in action involves end of the world cults.