Comments on: When Cognitive Dissonance Doesn’t Matter

By: AllHeart

AllHeart — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:06:00 +0000

When I deny saying something that I genuinely have no memory of saying, I wonder if this is Cognitive Dissonance in operation.

By: Electric Angel

Electric Angel — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:59:00 +0000

In an introductory lecture to social psychology, I found the theory of cognitive dissonance one of the most interesting - and certainly realised in myself I was constantly trying to rationalise my own inconsistent beliefs/behaviour.

These are interesting highlighting the limitations of its application, and shine some interesting light into what situations it is more likely to be used!

By: Jo

Jo — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:58:00 +0000

I gave up on the idea of cognitive dissonance years ago! I have been persuaded recently though that we find the narrative form very attractive - Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey.

We like a story of ourselves as the protagonist, going off on the hero's quest, overcoming challenges and coming home first to be rejected and then to transcend such lowly behaviour. Some people are great story tellers; some less able! And our story will change depending on some parts of the untold story. We'll have some reference point or other that isn't out in the open.

But are we consistent? And is there any good reason why we should be? Positivists need us to be! Positive psychologist don't!