Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive Dissonance

Introduction

Dissonance is described as a contradiction in beliefs and perceptions of a person about behavior, which attempts to change cognition in order to restore balance (Eiser, 1986). One most important factor associated with dissonance is change of attitude, which reflects negative feelings, conflicts and discomfort. As a most important theory of social psychology, this has no boundaries limited to the academic field. As a part of normal attitude and behavior of people, cognitive dissonance is also reflected through popular culture and media. According to Tavris and Aronson (2008), cognitive dissonance is everywhere, in TV, News, political columns, magazines, even on a soap opera. Cognitive dissonance can also be studied in the movie, “The Decedents” directed by Alexander Payne, starring George Clooney, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller, and Nick Krause. According to Hornaday (2011), “The Descendants" is an ode to emotional dissonance, which reflect both humor and regret, both are conflicting emotions and their coexistence is itself an example of dissonance in this movie. This movie is based on a central plot that reflects grief and cognitive dissonance. This movie reflects the difference between expectations of people and realities; there are also difference between beliefs and perceptions of characters and how it affects their attitudes or actions.

Discussion

Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is the mental state of a person in order to balance and manage feelings and attitudes in harmony. There are various attempts to understand the pattern of change in attitude of a person, such as impression management and self perceptions that result in cognitive dissonance. A number of theorists defined dissonance with the evidence of psychological arousal such as Croyle and Cooper (1983) conducted an experiment to of essay writing in order to determine link of arousal with dissonance (Eiser, 1986). According to the theory presented by Festinger, “cognitive dissonance is a state of tension that occurs whenever a person holds two cognitions (ideas, attitudes, beliefs, opinions) that are psychologically inconsistent” (Tavris & Aronson, 2008, p.13). This is very common behavior noticed by Festinger, when there are two disturbing and conflicting ideas between expectations and reality, people are in the state of discomfort. In order to maintain balance and equilibrium, people try to express different attitudes, to show a positive impact and consistent behavior.

Cognitions That Were At Odds With One Another and Causing The Discomfort

In this movie, “The Decedents” wife of a lawyer and businessman had serious injuries in a boating accident. She was in the state of comma and her husband Matt King (George Clooney) had to deal with all matters related to his wife and his daughters. There are various conflicting aspects in this movie. Matt was not only dealing with his worst circumstances, but he was also in deep frustration. Matt blames himself for the accident of his wife, for not protecting her, despite the fact that he knows the reality that Liz, his wife was cheating him. She had an affair with another man and when Matt came to know about that affair they had a fight. He had anger for his wife even then he was taking good care of his wife.

According to Myers (2011), there are various situations in which people do things that they do not expect them ...