Chapter 5:
Self-Justification
Cognitive
dissonance
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Leon Festinger
The feeling of tension or unease that occurs
when we become aware of our own
contradictory cognitions (attitudes, opinions,
beliefs) or a contradiction between our
cognitions and our behavior.
Cognitive
dissonance, cont.
People are motivated to justify their own
actions, beliefs, and feelings.
Dissonance is unpleasant – we try to reduce it.
How do we reduce dissonance?
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We can change the cognition
We can change the behavior
Consider Elaine
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Cognitions
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I’m committed to this man.
I’m a good person.
I have good judgment.
Conflicting cognitions, attitudes, opinions
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I want nothing to do with him
My husband is a monster.
I had no idea what he was doing.
What changes can she make?
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I didn’t know this about him; now that I do,
my commitment isn’t binding - behavioral
People are complicated. They can do very
bad things and have good qualities cognitive
Others?
Post-Decisional
Dissonance
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Before making a decision – no need to
justify it.
Making a decision produces dissonance
After making a decision, people seek
information that validates the decision
Consider Arnold
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He decides to plead guilty
He experiences dissonance as a result
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I pled guilty but I’m not guilty
I pled guilty for Jessie, but I can’t bear prison
I pled guilty and Jessie still goes to prison
How can he reduce his dissonance?
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Review and focus on the reasons why he pled
guilty and ignore the downside of his decision.
Moral behavior
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People will tend to strengthen their beliefs
about the rightness or wrongness of an act
depending on whether or not they are
tempted and resist; or are tempted and do
not resist.
Imagine David knew all along his dad was
guilty...
Foot-in-the-door technique
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If someone agrees to a small request, they
are more likely to agree to a larger request.
The small request provides justification for
complying with the larger request.
Inadequate
justification
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We search for adequate justification for
our cognitions and behavior
If there is sufficient external justification –
no need to change our attitudes
If there is insufficient external justification –
we look for internal justification and
change our attitudes
One way…
Dissonance
Tension Reduction
Tension
External Justification
External works if: one is forced
one receives a reward
Life is back in harmony!
Or another…
Dissonance
Tension Reduction
Tension
Internal Justification
If inadequate justification, use internal
justification to reduce tension:
change attitude to fit behavior
distort perception to fit behavior
change view of evidence to fit behavior
Inadequate justification
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A small reward may be sufficient to induce
someone to do something
However, a small reward results in more
dissonance
The resulting dissonance may require
additional rationalization in the form of
attitude change
Elaine again…
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She believes Arnold is guilty, and there is all kinds
of external justification for this belief…the police
believe it, he looked at pictures, he admitted to
molesting two kids, etc.
Let’s say she finds out he’s innocent. How can
she reduce the dissonance she experiences
then?
The external justification fails, and we go back to
slide 13!
Justification of effort
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If a person goes through a difficult or
painful experience in order to attain a goal
or object, that goal or object becomes more
attractive
Justification of cruelty – occurs when a
person denigrates someone s/he is cruel to
Dissonance and self-concept
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We want to be good, wise, thoughtful
When our self concept is involved –
dissonance is greater
Dissonance is greater when people feel
responsible for their actions
And when they perceive their actions have
serious consequences
Self Esteem and Dissonance
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High self esteem and well grounded
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Protect one’s ego while also being willing to learn
from mistakes, grow, and acknowledge
contradiction.
Apparent high self esteem and fragile
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Dissonance leads to attitude, cognition and
behavior that ignores reality.