Full text of festingerrieckenschachterwhenprophecyfails1956. Leon festingerleon festinger, the creator of a revolutionary experiment. A major theory in social psychology is known as cognitive dissonance. According to festinger, cognitive dissonance occurs when peoples thoughts and feelings are inconsistent with their behavior, which results in an uncomfortable, disharmonious feeling. Introduced by leon festinger in 1957 in his book, a theory of cognitive dissonance, the cognitive dissonance theory focuses on how we as human beings always strive hard to make sure that our beliefs and actions are aligned with each other. Leon festinger was a wellknown american social psychologist. Festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been one of the most in.
The theory of cognitive dissonance was molded by leon festinger at the beginning of the 1950s. A theory of social comparison processes leon festinger. Here are presented all the main aspects of the theory. In a time of abundant information, the risk of picking up only those data that support our previous convictions is always there. An alternative conceptualization was proposed by festingers theory of cognitive dissonance festinger, 1957, which asserted that organisms are motivated to reduce dissonance, defined as an incompatibility between internal cognitive structures and the situations currently perceived. From this grant, he was able to write his first document on the social comparison theory and published it in the journal of human relations in 1954. Cognitive dissonance an overview sciencedirect topics. Psychologist leon festinger first described the theory of cognitive dissonance in 1957. These theories continue to play a role in contemporary psychology. Cognitive dissonance theory leon festinger 1957 pdf book. She attracted a group of followers who left jobs, schools, and spouses and. Cognitive dissonance theory has had a more illustrious career than its politicalscience and sociological equivalents. He has the honor of establishing the experimentation techniques in social psychology to an advanced level. Leon festinger was a 20th century psychologist who developed the theories of cognitive dissonance and social comparison.
Cognitive dissonance theory festinger, 1957 continues to develop and inspire new research. Psychologist leon festinger is known for his theory of cognitive dissonance, which concerns our actions and attitudes. An alternative conceptualization was proposed by festinger s theory of cognitive dissonance festinger, 1957, which asserted that organisms are motivated to reduce dissonance, defined as an incompatibility between internal cognitive structures and the situations currently perceived. Leon festinger formulated the original theory of cognitive dissonance in the mid1950s, and the first formal and complete presentation of the theory appeared in 1957. A theory of cognitive dissonance by festinger, leon, 19191989. In the rest of the book many behavioural facts supporting the theory are put forward. Inconsistency among beliefs or behaviors will cause an uncomfortable psychological tension. In a theory of cognitive dissonance 1957, leon festinger proposed that human beings strive for internal psychological consistency to function mentally in the real world. In simple the clash of mind when we have to choose from the choices is can be called cognitive dissonance. A little more than 60 years ago, leon festinger published a theory of cognitive dissonance 1957.
The magnitude of dissonance is directly proportional to the number of discrepant cognitions and inversely proportional to the number of consonant cognitions that a person has. The following article by leon festinger and james m. His theory of cognitive dissonance is especially relevant to social psychology, especially in the areas of motivation and group dynamics. All books are in clear copy here, and all files are secure so dont worry about it. This article focuses on cognitive dissonance, a central theory of consumer. In an event wherein some of these cognitions clash, an unsettled state of tension occurs and this is called. Cognitivedissonancetheory after50yearsofdevelopment. Cognitive dissonance theory an overview sciencedirect. The number of variations within this approach to selfevaluation regulation is also substantial. Leon festinger went to boys high school and acquired a bachelors degree in science at city college, new york in. Alittle more than 60 years ago, leon festinger published a theory of cognitive. Leon festinger introduced cognitive dissonance theory in a 1957 book, a theory of cognitive dissonance. Leon festinger s theory of cognitive dissonance has been widely recognized for its important and influential concepts in areas of motivation and social psychology.
Download cognitive dissonance theory leon festinger 1957 book pdf free download link or read online here in pdf. They included the theory of cognitive dissonance developed by leon festinger in the 1950s. Festinger used the same term, dissonance, to refer to the discrepancy between cognitions and to psychological discomfort. Carlsmith is the classic study on reprinted from journal of abnormal and social psychology, 58.
Pdf a theory of cognitive dissonance semantic scholar. Full text of festingerrieckenschachterwhenprophecy. His theories and research are credited with renouncing the previously dominant behaviorist view of social psychology by demonstrating the inadequacy of stimulusresponse conditioning accounts of human behavior. A theory of cognitive dissonance download pdfepub ebook. It holds that dissonance is experienced whenever one cognition that a person holds follows from the opposite of at least one other cognition that the person holds. This is chapter one of leon festinger, a theory of cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance theory, developed by leon festinger 1957, is concerned with the relationships among cognitions. In the early 1950s, the behavioral sciences division of the ford foundation gave leon festinger a grant, which was part of the program of the laboratory for research in social relations. Cognitive dissonance leon festinger according to cognitive dissonance theory, there is a tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions i. Festinger s theory said that when a person holds contradictory elements in cognition producing an unpleasant state called dissonance the person will work to bring the elements back into agreement or congruence. May 19, 2014 leon festinger 1957 proposed cognitive dissonance theory, which states that a powerful motive to maintain cognitive consistency can give rise to irrational and sometimes maladaptive behavior.
It suggests that inconsistencies among cognitions i. Festinger s 1957 cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony or dissonance. A theory of cognitive dissonance leon festinger pdf. A theory of cognitive dissonance leon festinger download bok. Examples and practical applications of cognitive dissonance. When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors dissonance, something must change to eliminate the dissonance. Leon festinger developed the cognitive dissonance theory festinger, 1957 dissonance occurs when a person perceives a logical inconsistency in their beliefs, when one idea implies the opposite of another. In general, social psychologists, always looking for the next great theory, seemed to have shelved this book and its concepts within a couple of decades after it came out in 1957 see leon festinger s comments 30 years later in appendix b of cognitive dissonance progress on a pivotal theory in social. In this paper we shall present a further development of a previously published theory concerning opinion influence processes in social groups 7. Jan 10, 2018 leon festingers cognitive dissonance theory. Leon festinger formulated the original theory of cognitive dissonance in the mid 1950s, and the first formal and com plete presentation of the theory appeared in.
Festingers 1957 cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and behavior in harmony and avoid disharmony or dissonance. According to dissonance theory, selfesteem is threatened by inconsistency. Publication date 1962 topics adaptability psychology, dissonance cognitive, cognitieve dissonantie. The psychological fields generated the concept and theory of cognitive dissonance e. Leon festinger, an introduction to the theory of cognitive. Festinger was an american social psychologist who was born in new york in 1919. Cognitive dissonance is the negative feeling that results from conflicting beliefs and behaviors. In general, social psychologists, always looking for the next great theory, seemed to have shelved this book and its concepts within a couple of decades after it came out in 1957 see leon festingers comments 30 years later in appendix b of cognitive dissonance progress on a pivotal theory in social. According to festinger, we hold many cognitions about the world and ourselves. Almost half a century ago social psychologist leon festinger developed the cognitive dissonance theory festinger, 1957. He is also very wellknown for developing social theory for the proximity effect. This lack of consistency between various cognitions is known as dissonance. The cognitive dissonance experiment is based on the theory of cognitive dissonance proposed by leon festinger in the year 1957.
Leon festinger and james carlsmith proposed the term cognitive dissonance which is every individual has his or her festinger, l. He suggested that people have an inner need to ensure that their beliefs and behaviors are consistent. Sep 05, 2019 leon festinger leon festinger, the creator of a revolutionary experiment. Leon festinger 1957 proposed cognitive dissonance theory, which states that a powerful motive to maintain cognitive consistency can give rise to irrational and sometimes maladaptive behavior. Miller and others published cognitive dissonance theory festinger find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. An example of this approach is cognitive dissonance theory festinger 1957.
This is the feeling of discomfort from two conflicting thoughts, it may increase or. Festinger theorized that, when an individual holds two or more elements of knowledge that are relevant to each other but inconsistent with one another,astate of. Originally published in the journal of abnormal and social psychology in 1959, cognitive consequences of forced compliance by leon festinger and james carlsmith was the first of numerous studies to corroborate the theory of cognitive dissonance. Inconsistent or conflicting beliefs lead to disharmony, which people strive to avoid. Indeed, the concept of cognitive dissonance has entered popular speech, even political campaigns. These two concepts are theoretically distinct and the first is now referred to as cognitive inconsistency an introduction to cognitive dissonance theory and. Leon festinger and cognitive dissonance exploring your mind. This is known as the principle of cognitive consistency. It is also a prime example of how creative thinking and problem solving skills can come together to produce work that changes the way people look at.
Psychologist leon festinger first proposed a theory of cognitive dissonance centered on how people try to reach internal consistency. An introduction to cognitive dissonance theory and an. Cognitive dissonance theory links actions and attitudes. Cognitive dissonance theory an overview sciencedirect topics. Jun 11, 2017 in the early 1950s, the behavioral sciences division of the ford foundation gave leon festinger a grant, which was part of the program of the laboratory for research in social relations. The original version of the theory leon festinger formulated the original theory of cognitive dissonance in the mid1950s, and the first formal and complete presentation of the theory appeared in 1957.
Keep reading for a brief biography of festinger and to learn more about. Festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been one. Leon festinger leon festinger cognitive dissonance. When there is an inconsistency between attitudes or behaviors dissonance, something must change to eliminate the. Read online cognitive dissonance theory leon festinger 1957 book pdf free download link book now. Leon festingers 1957 a theory of cognitive dissonance is a key text in the history of psychology one that made its author one of the most influential social psychologists of his time.
The mental clash or tension resulting from the processes of acquiring knowledge or understanding through the senses is called cognitive dissonance. In yet another application of cognitive dissonance theory, festinger. This article was originally published in the encyclopedia. Born on 8 th may, 1919, he was the pioneer of social comparison and cognitive dissonance theory. Festingers theory said that when a person holds contradictory elements in cognition producing an unpleasant state called dissonance the person will work to bring the elements back into agreement or congruence. A theory of cognitive dissonance by leon festinger 30jun. Cognitive dissonance theory leon festinger 1957 pdf. Leon festingers theory of cognitive dissonance has been widely recognized for its important and influential concepts in areas of motivation and social psychology. Leon festinger, born may 8, 1919, brooklyn, new york, u.
It holds that dissonance is experienced whenever one. According to cognitive dissonance theory, there is a tendency for individuals to seek consistency among their cognitions i. Cognitive dissonance theory after 50 years of development. Theorist biography leon festinger, 1919 1989, was born to russianjewish immigrants alex festinger and sara solomon festinger in brooklyn, new york. Keech, reported receiving messages from extraterrestrial aliens that the world would end in a great flood on a specific date. Full text of festingerrieckenschachterwhenprophecyfails. Inasmuch as festingers theory is concerned with attitude change and attempts to discern how persuasive messages are processed in the minds of listeners, there is no doubt that it may be regarded as a communication theory.
A cognitive dissonance approach harvard university. While at the university of minnesota, festinger read about a cult that believed that the end of the world was at hand. Leon festingers social comparison theory the psychology. Dissonance theory was an attempt to determine, at a more basic, purely cognitive level, the origin of such pressures. A theory of cognitive dissonance leon festinger pdf download. That brings us to the next point, namely the categorization of cognitive dissonance theory. Leon festinger 8 may 1919 11 february 1989 was an american social psychologist, perhaps best known for cognitive dissonance and social comparison theory.
People hold many different cognitions about their world, e. Leon festingers theory of cognitive dissonance networked. A theory of cognitive dissonance leon festinger download. Inasmuch as festinger s theory is concerned with attitude change and attempts to discern how persuasive messages are processed in the minds of listeners, there is no doubt that it may be regarded as a communication theory. The main idea underlying cognitive dissonance is that if a person knows of things inconsistent psychologically, he would try in ways to make them consistent. A person who experiences internal inconsistency tends to become psychologically uncomfortable and is motivated to reduce the cognitive dissonance. The theory of dissonance is here applied to the problem of why partial reward, delay of reward, and effort expenditure during training result in increased resistance to extinction.
This work is a clearly stated theory on how humans think, decide, and defend their decisions. The cognitive dissonance theory has been applied to a very large array of social situations and. Cognitive dissonance brings about a need to justify actions that are contradictory to our belief system. A theory of social comparison processes, retrieved september 12, 2007, from hum.