Comments on: How and Why We Lie to Ourselves: Cognitive Dissonance http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php Understand your mind with the science of psychology - Mon, 04 May 2009 10:30:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Meredith M. http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-26442 Meredith M. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:14:49 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-26442 Dissonance can occur anywhere in society, that is why people have to stick to what they belive in and not change their ways. Many people dont have opinions and that is unfortunate. This ties into the "authority figure" study, when the "policemen" told the man to shock the "convict" if he tried to escape. It was ok for him to shock the man, because a policeman told him he could. However, he would not have shocked anyone otherwise. Dissonance can occur anywhere in society, that is why people have to stick to what they belive in and not change their ways. Many people dont have opinions and that is unfortunate. This ties into the "authority figure" study, when the "policemen" told the man to shock the "convict" if he tried to escape. It was ok for him to shock the man, because a policeman told him he could. However, he would not have shocked anyone otherwise.

]]> By: gummi http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-23836 gummi Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:09:50 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-23836 people tells lies because they wish to do so. as such, the researcher is partially correct. people tells lies because they wish to do so. as such, the researcher is partially correct.

]]> By: Kat http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-23582 Kat Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:51:31 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-23582 Call it PTSD, call it avoidance, call it cognitive dissonance -- I managed to forget about sexual abuse. I know exactly how I got there and why. I turned a page, turned off the radio, switched the TV channel... The big surprise came after I became a Christian. I took disassociating from my past to a whole new level -after all I was "forgiven". How did this happen? My avoidance behaviors were so ingrained into my thinking I read them into the Bible. Call it PTSD, call it avoidance, call it cognitive dissonance -- I managed to forget about sexual abuse. I know exactly how I got there and why. I turned a page, turned off the radio, switched the TV channel... The big surprise came after I became a Christian. I took disassociating from my past to a whole new level -after all I was "forgiven". How did this happen? My avoidance behaviors were so ingrained into my thinking I read them into the Bible.

]]> By: the green bastard http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-23509 the green bastard Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:17:09 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-23509 Well I steal things from work but I don't adjust my values to fit my behaviour, I do it because I like stealing. If they paid me a million quid a week I'd still do it. Well I steal things from work but I don't adjust my values to fit my behaviour, I do it because I like stealing. If they paid me a million quid a week I'd still do it.

]]> By: okapi http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-21951 okapi Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:11:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-21951 I have been thinking a lot lately about domestic abuse, particularly psychological and emotional abuse. In thinking about how abusers function and the cycles of abuse, and why the abused get sucked into the abusers control in the first place, and why they stay, or find it so difficult to leave, or keep coming back. I think the concept of CD explains a lot of it. <br /><br />I would like to hear other thoughts on this. Does anyone know if this has been studied? I have been thinking a lot lately about domestic abuse, particularly psychological and emotional abuse. In thinking about how abusers function and the cycles of abuse, and why the abused get sucked into the abusers control in the first place, and why they stay, or find it so difficult to leave, or keep coming back. I think the concept of CD explains a lot of it.

I would like to hear other thoughts on this. Does anyone know if this has been studied?

]]> By: octotroph http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-21684 octotroph Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:35:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-21684 "What if the lie was about a truly significant issue? What if the liar had reason to believe the recipiant would be harmed by the lie? Would the liars still feel no cognitive dissonance if they were paid a larger sum?"<br /><br />The answer to these questions can be found by studying your local politician. They are prime examples of CD. "What if the lie was about a truly significant issue? What if the liar had reason to believe the recipiant would be harmed by the lie? Would the liars still feel no cognitive dissonance if they were paid a larger sum?"

The answer to these questions can be found by studying your local politician. They are prime examples of CD.

]]> By: Judy http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-21669 Judy Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:21:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-21669 My observation would be that cognitive dissonance potentially can exist in almost every type of human interaction. Two personal examples for me: <br /><br />I was 'in love' with a man who had some behaviours that I considered to be unethical and immoral. For the longest time I ignored or 'stuffed' my extreme feelings of discomfort with his choices and behaviours because the sex was great and I was getting spooned every night in bed. Plus his choices were affecting others, but not affecting me directly. I finally ended it when his choices and behaviours directly affected me and my home when he wanted to use my telephone line to defraud a credit card company.<br /><br />The second experience is happening now. For the past two years I have been in a professional position in the non-profit sector raising funds for a health cause that affects most people or their families at some point in their lives. An important cause. My job is somewhat prestigious and allows me access to many interesting people, organizations, beneficial opportunities and perks. In the past year, I have become increasingly disenchanted with the<br />entire non-profit experience and more particularly with my boss and with his inner circle of cronies. I have seen my boss lie to the board of directors, I have seen him erupt in anger at community volunteers. I have seen his cronies ignore the discomfort of donors. I have seen mismanagement of personnel and of fundraising processes. I have been on the receiving end of passive aggressive behaviours from my boss when I have challenged his decisions and behviours. I have 'stuffed' my extreme feelings of discomfort until recently when I had what can only be termed a 'breakdown' - which happened roughly 25 days ago. Now I know that the cognitive dissonance I was feeling caused my collapse. And I know I have to leave that workplace.<br /><br />These, to me, are two very concrete examples of cognitive dissonance. I would be very interested to hear if others concur.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Judy My observation would be that cognitive dissonance potentially can exist in almost every type of human interaction. Two personal examples for me:

I was 'in love' with a man who had some behaviours that I considered to be unethical and immoral. For the longest time I ignored or 'stuffed' my extreme feelings of discomfort with his choices and behaviours because the sex was great and I was getting spooned every night in bed. Plus his choices were affecting others, but not affecting me directly. I finally ended it when his choices and behaviours directly affected me and my home when he wanted to use my telephone line to defraud a credit card company.

The second experience is happening now. For the past two years I have been in a professional position in the non-profit sector raising funds for a health cause that affects most people or their families at some point in their lives. An important cause. My job is somewhat prestigious and allows me access to many interesting people, organizations, beneficial opportunities and perks. In the past year, I have become increasingly disenchanted with the
entire non-profit experience and more particularly with my boss and with his inner circle of cronies. I have seen my boss lie to the board of directors, I have seen him erupt in anger at community volunteers. I have seen his cronies ignore the discomfort of donors. I have seen mismanagement of personnel and of fundraising processes. I have been on the receiving end of passive aggressive behaviours from my boss when I have challenged his decisions and behviours. I have 'stuffed' my extreme feelings of discomfort until recently when I had what can only be termed a 'breakdown' - which happened roughly 25 days ago. Now I know that the cognitive dissonance I was feeling caused my collapse. And I know I have to leave that workplace.

These, to me, are two very concrete examples of cognitive dissonance. I would be very interested to hear if others concur.

Sincerely,

Judy

]]> By: feminazi http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-21575 feminazi Thu, 15 May 2008 03:27:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-21575 Personally I think Larry Johnson's comment was so brilliant, and everything above it addressed most potential confusion, that you should just delete everything after Larry's. Including this one, and be very selective which comments you add after it.<br /><br />Great post! and Larry's comment was just icing on the cake.<br /><br />I'm particularly interested in how cognitive dissonance intersects with denial. What is the REASON(s) people resort to cognitive distortions, and how do you get people to stop? Personally I think Larry Johnson's comment was so brilliant, and everything above it addressed most potential confusion, that you should just delete everything after Larry's. Including this one, and be very selective which comments you add after it.

Great post! and Larry's comment was just icing on the cake.

I'm particularly interested in how cognitive dissonance intersects with denial. What is the REASON(s) people resort to cognitive distortions, and how do you get people to stop?

]]> By: Tommy Harris http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-21539 Tommy Harris Wed, 30 Apr 2008 13:41:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-21539 It seems that everyone judges everything by what makes the most sense to them. In other words, it seems that everyone thinks that they would make the world's finest arbiter. The usual stance seems to be: well, I agree with most of what you just said except for this. So, you have almost got it right . . . just change this to align with what I think and you will have it all right. Everybody seems to think that they are right! <br />For god's sake, make me Czar of the World and I will straighten everything out. No, seriously, make me Czar and I will straighten everything out. <br />The opinions I have account for all I have encountered in my lifetime so they are solid. And where I don't have an opinion, I will set-up study groups to inform me of the facts and theories. Then, I will form the final opinion and make my decree. I have no cognitive dissonance because I always wait until I have considered enough evidence to know what makes the most sense. I also have no problem with changing my mind and amending my decrees if new evidence arises that warrants a shift. PS Larry Johnson had the best comment so far (in other words, I agreed with him). It seems that everyone judges everything by what makes the most sense to them. In other words, it seems that everyone thinks that they would make the world's finest arbiter. The usual stance seems to be: well, I agree with most of what you just said except for this. So, you have almost got it right . . . just change this to align with what I think and you will have it all right. Everybody seems to think that they are right!
For god's sake, make me Czar of the World and I will straighten everything out. No, seriously, make me Czar and I will straighten everything out.
The opinions I have account for all I have encountered in my lifetime so they are solid. And where I don't have an opinion, I will set-up study groups to inform me of the facts and theories. Then, I will form the final opinion and make my decree. I have no cognitive dissonance because I always wait until I have considered enough evidence to know what makes the most sense. I also have no problem with changing my mind and amending my decrees if new evidence arises that warrants a shift. PS Larry Johnson had the best comment so far (in other words, I agreed with him).

]]> By: Zazu http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves.php/comment-page-4#comment-21416 Zazu Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:35:00 +0000 http://spring.org.uk/2007/10/how-and-why-we-lie-to-ourselves-cognitive-dissonance.php#comment-21416 could this apply to pathological liars? could this apply to pathological liars?

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