Self Awareness theory:
Cognitive Dissonance
Connection
Our attention can be directed
inward= self or
outward=environment, at any
given point in time
It is a mental stress which
occurs from holding erratic
beliefs that are contradicting
from a person’s conventional
conception and can influence
behavior.
Self awareness theory tells us
that our viewpoint and own
behavior towards something
are inconstant (Cognitive
Dissonance) which leads us
to act in various ways to
rectify it.
When the attention is directed
inward, we become aware of
discrepancies between actual
and ideal self.
Inconsistency = feels bad=
dissonance = uncomfortable
state of mind
If discrepancy occurs, people
feel bad and are motivated to
change. There are four
reactions to it and its
consequences are as follows:
1: Raise actual self= Feels
good+ motivates
amelioration
if we could
remove the pics
on the 4
reactions , and
give more
explanations of
wht a person
goes through.
she mentioned
explain more
about the theory
Three ways to eliminate
dissonance:
1: Amend our beliefs.
could we explain more wht
happens in each
2: Lower Ideal Self= Feels
good+ no refinement
To decrease a discrepancy:
2: Amend our behavior.
1: Elevate the ideal self
which in turn causes a
modification in behavior that
lessens dissonance.
2: Lower ideal self which
causes a modification in
behavior that lessens
dissonance.
3: Direct attention outward
(distract ourselves) = Feels
good + no progress
3: Justify our behavior
3. Divert attention outward
regarding something inapt
which will justify behavior
and by that means, minimize
dissonance.
4: Overlook & do nothing=
feel bad + no progress.
connection between both
Self-awareness seems to be a key to understanding how and when cognitive dissonance may play a role in your life. If you find yourself justifying or rationalizing decisions or behaviors that you’re
not quite clear you firmly believe in, that might be a sign that cognitive dissonance is at work. If your explanation for something is, “Well, that’s the way I’ve always done it or thought about it,” that
may also be a sign. Socrates extolled that “An unexamined life is not worth living.” In other words, challenge and be skeptical of such answers if you find yourself falling back on them.
A part of that self awareness that may help in dealing with cognitive dissonance is to examine the commitments and decisions we make in our lives. If the resolution of cognitive dissonance means
that we move forward with a commitment and spring into action, making us feel better, maybe the dissonance was trying to tell us something. Maybe the decision or commitment wasn’t as right for
us as we initially thought, even if it means overcoming our “no second-guessing” bias and making a different decision. Sometimes we’re just plain wrong. Admitting it, apologizing if need be, and
moving forward can save us a lot of time, mental energy and hurt feelings.