Lecture Script

In today's lecture, we will delve into the fascinating world of psychology, specifically focusing on the concept of cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance occurs when an individual holds conflicting beliefs or attitudes, leading to psychological discomfort. For instance, imagine a person who values environmental conservation but drives a gas-guzzling car. This inconsistency can create cognitive dissonance. Researchers have found that individuals are motivated to reduce this dissonance by either changing their behavior or rationalizing their conflicting beliefs.

Key Points:

• Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort caused by holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes.
• Individuals may resolve cognitive dissonance by changing their behavior or rationalizing their beliefs.

Sample Answer: Cognitive dissonance, as discussed in the lecture, is the inner conflict that arises from holding contradictory beliefs. For example, when someone professes a commitment to environmentalism but engages in environmentally harmful behaviors like driving a polluting vehicle, cognitive dissonance occurs. To alleviate this discomfort, individuals may either modify their actions to align with their beliefs or justify their behaviors through rationalization. In essence, cognitive dissonance highlights the complex interplay between our beliefs and actions in shaping our psychological well-being.