It’s All So Uncomfortable

Cognitive Dissonance Theory is also known as mental discomfort. It’s usually experienced by the person with two or more contradictory beliefs or values. There becomes a clash between a person’s values whenever they perceive new evidences about their very established beliefs. Consistency theory is all about relationship. If the relationship between intra-psychic processes and states are harmonious; then there remains the state of consistency. Human mental systems need such consistency forever because inconsistencies can create anarchy in a person’s social and personal life (McGarth 2020). People also try to remain far away from the stages of discontent and inconsistent states. Cognitive representation is also known as mental representation. It talks about the philosophy of mind. It can be considered as an internal symbol that represents external reality. If a person is clear in his own mind, then this clarity becomes reflected in his or her actions (Meaney & Rieger 2021). Lucid actions bring success. Success leads to confirmations of actions. This produces confidence and becomes an integral part of behavior. It also causes destruction of confusions and creates opportunities for a better stable state of mind. This stage makes a clear understanding of the external reality.

McGrath, A. (2020). Bringing cognitive dissonance theory into the scholarship of teaching and learning: Topics and questions in need of investigation. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Psychology, 6(1), 84–90.

Meaney, T., & Rieger, E. (2021). Integrating cognitive dissonance and social consensus to reduce weight stigma. Body Image, 37, 117–126.