Lecture Script: In today's lecture, we delve into the fascinating world of psychology, specifically focusing on the concept of cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals experience conflicting beliefs or attitudes, leading to discomfort and the need to resolve this internal conflict. For instance, imagine a person who values environmental conservation but continues to drive a gas-guzzling vehicle. This discrepancy creates cognitive dissonance, prompting the individual to either change their behavior or justify their actions to reduce the discomfort. Key Points: - Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort caused by holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes. - Resolving cognitive dissonance can lead to behavior change or justification of actions. Sample Answer: Cognitive dissonance is a psychological phenomenon where individuals face conflicting beliefs, causing discomfort. For example, someone who advocates for environmental protection but drives a polluting car may experience cognitive dissonance. To alleviate this, they might either switch to a more eco-friendly vehicle or rationalize their driving habits. This illustrates how cognitive dissonance influences decision-making and prompts individuals to align their actions with their values to reduce internal conflict.