Cognitive Dissonance: Statistical Analysis
I have found the statistical analysis of cognitive dissonance very interesting. When I first started researching what it was I was completely lost. While I have taken the time to review a few journal articles my knowledge has been enhanced and I think I have a better grasp on the topic. Ethics scoreboard.com defines cognitive dissonance as, “Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon first identified by Leon Festinger. It occurs when there is a discrepancy between what a person believes, knows and values, and persuasive information that calls these into question. The discrepancy causes psychological discomfort, and the mind adjusts to reduce the discrepancy. In ethics, cognitive dissonance is important in its ability to alter values, such as when an admired celebrity embraces behavior that his or her admirers deplore. Their dissonance will often result in changing their attitudes toward the behavior. Dissonance also leads to rationalizations of unethical conduct, as when the appeal and potential benefits of a large amount of money makes unethical actions to acquire it seem less objectionable than if they were applied to smaller amounts” (http://www.ethicsscoreboard.com/rb_definitions.html).
I remember reading various examples on the Internet. One example I can think of on my own would be performance enhancement drugs. Performance enhancers help build muscle and make you stronger than the average athlete. Therefore, many athletes would want to use these drugs to get a step above the rest. However, performance enhancer drugs are illegal, they cause severe health problems. Therefore, performance enhancers should not be used.
From what I have read, many people found Festinger’s Theory very exciting. People stated that they read his book in one sitting because of how excited they were during the reading. The article, “Back to the Future: Retrospective Review of Leon Festinger’s A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance” states, “Festinger started with a very simple proposition. If a person holds two cognitions that are psychologically inconsistent, he experiences dissonance: a negative drive state. Because the experience of dissonance is unpleasant, the person will strive to reduce it-usually by struggling to find a way to change one or both cognitions to make them more consistent with one another” (Aronson, 1997).
The Cognitive Dissonance Theory helps people make sense of things, especially when it deals with values, beliefs, environment, and behavior. It also explains the relationship of attitude and behavior. If someone is paid to do something they may perform the expected behavior better. If they are made to do something with nothing in return, the effort may be less.
I found a website that can further explain cognitive dissonance should you feel you would like a little more understanding of the topic. Please click the link to learn more! http://web.mst.edu/~psyworld/cognitive_dissonance.htm.
An article I found through the CWU Library called, “Cognitive dissonance in athletic hazing: The roles of commitment and athletic identity.” This article explains how many athletes participate in hazing activities to gain membership to a team. The article states, “Understanding whether athletes are comfortable with their hazing experience or report positive feelings to rationalize their behavior in what may have been an experience of dissonance is an important topic in the social psychology of sport.” (Hinkle, Stillino, 2007. Pg. 169). It also explains its purpose for the research, “the nature of hazing in sport, the psychosocial impact of hazing on the athlete, how the nature of a hazing incident impacts an athlete’s commitment to sport, and how the nature of a hazing incident impacts an athlete’s strength of athletic identity” (Hinkle, Stillino, 2007. Pg. 169).
The research included 284 questionnaires from graduate and undergraduate students 83 of which indicated they had been hazed. These athletes described through written expression their personal hazing experience. At that time the researchers conducted 14 interviews of participants who had been hazed. The article explains, “Data was analyzed using Festinger’s (1957) theory of cognitive dissonance as a lens for interpretation. This presentation highlights the analyses of the written narratives, interviews, and self-rating of hazing severity. Finding revealed that the hazed athletes downplayed, rationalized, and justified their hazing experiences, suggesting that some athletes experienced cognitive dissonance as a result of their hazing experience” (Hinkle, Stillino, 2007. Pg. 169).
Athletes justified a negative experience due to the fact they were accepted as a member to the team. This makes a lot of sense to me actually. I hear about hazing incidents often and wonder why those involved choose to participate. Some take it as an honor to be hazed. My hope, is that through continued research and more and more organizations against hazing emerge, that we can put a stop to hazing.
References:
Aronson, Elliot. (1997). Back to the Future: Retrospective Review of Leon Festinger’s: A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. The American Journal of Psychology, Vol. 110 (Issue 1), Pages 127-137.
Hinkle Smith, S. L., & Stellino, M. (2007). Cognitive dissonance in athletic hazing: The roles of commitment and athletic identity. Journal Of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 29S169-S170.
Their dissonance will often result in changing their attitudes toward the behavior. Dissonance also leads to rationalizations of unethical conduct, as when the appeal and potential benefits of a large amount of money makes unethical actions to acquire it seem less objectionable than if they were applied to smaller amounts” feng shui master
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