What does cognitive dissonance refer to?

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental conflict that arises when an individual holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes. This psychological phenomenon occurs because conflicting beliefs create discomfort, prompting the person to seek harmony among their thoughts and actions. For instance, if someone values health but smokes cigarettes, they experience cognitive dissonance due to the contradiction between their healthy values and their unhealthy behavior.

When faced with cognitive dissonance, a person may attempt to resolve the conflict by changing one of the beliefs, altering their behavior to align with their beliefs, or rationalizing the discrepancy in some way. This process highlights the importance of internal consistency in our cognitive framework and how we strive to maintain a coherent self-concept.

Other options focus on different aspects of cognition or emotion that do not capture the essence of cognitive dissonance. While memory recall confusion addresses issues with retrieving information, emotional distress from external feedback pertains more to responses shaped by other people’s opinions rather than internal conflicts. Logical inconsistencies in reasoning deal with flawed logic, which is separate from the emotional and cognitive struggle inherent in cognitive dissonance. Thus, the correct answer reflects the fundamental nature of the cognitive conflict described.