We are torn and feel uneasy. A situation challenges our beliefs and pulls us into a new realm of thinking. A simple example is that you decide to be healthy and shed the Covid shield lining your waistline. You eat healthily and commit to daily exercise. This weekend, you are at a party and have hot dogs, burgers, dips, and a whole lot of yumminess before you. Not in the plan, not what you committed to, and with that, you feel uneasy, guilty and begin to justify why you should indulge.
On occasion, it may be minor, while other situations may be of greater significance and consequence, such as your organization chooses to adopt a policy in complete contradiction with your beliefs. Our actions are in denial with our attitudes.
If you feel uneasy and challenge your beliefs, values, and even the facts and need to rationalize your decisions and behaviors, you are likely experiencing cognitive dissonance. We all experience it.
When faced with a decision that does not hold with our principles, do we change our beliefs or change our behavior.
Who wants to have their beliefs challenged, especially those that may be deep-rooted. When our behavior does not fit our self-image, we question our core values and ourselves as a person.
Yet, it is necessary to resolve these notions and eliminate the ambiguity that creates tension, unease, and anxiety. Since it will almost always be due to conflicting forces, we should reduce the differences between the two and seek a consonant one. We can acquire new information, eliminate the dissonant belief or lessen the importance of the conflicting attitudes we are experiencing. Resolving the conflict need not require significant change.
Cognitive dissonance can be a tool. It is a trigger. Rather than being a threat, use it to question and validate your beliefs, assumptions, and actions. Regardless of whether you go back to the initial thinking or alter it, thoughtfulness alone is a process that will further solidify your own beliefs and will likely make similar dilemmas in the future less challenging.
