Reading passage

Cognitive dissonance is a psychological concept that refers to the discomfort experienced when there is a discrepancy between beliefs or attitudes and behaviors. This theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, suggests that individuals are motivated to reduce this dissonance by either changing their beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors to align with each other. For example, if someone who believes in the importance of environmental conservation continues to use single-use plastic bottles, they may experience cognitive dissonance. Festinger's theory highlights the internal struggle individuals face when their actions contradict their beliefs or values.

Listening transcript

Professor: Today, we're discussing cognitive dissonance, a key concept in psychology. Let's consider an example: Imagine a person who strongly values physical health but struggles to maintain a healthy diet. This individual may experience cognitive dissonance, leading to feelings of discomfort. Another example is when a company publicly promotes sustainability but engages in environmentally harmful practices, causing employees to feel conflicted. Cognitive dissonance theory helps us understand how individuals strive for consistency in their beliefs and behaviors.

Speaking task instruction

Explain the concept of cognitive dissonance from the reading and use the professor's examples to illustrate how it works. Preparation time: 30 seconds, Response time: 60 seconds.

Sample student response

Cognitive dissonance, as discussed in the reading, is the discomfort arising from inconsistencies between beliefs and actions. The professor's examples further illustrate this concept. For instance, an individual valuing health but struggling with a healthy diet mirrors the theory. Similarly, when a company claims sustainability but harms the environment, employees face cognitive dissonance. These examples show how individuals and organizations experience inner conflict when their actions contradict their values. In essence, cognitive dissonance highlights the importance of aligning beliefs and behaviors to reduce internal tension.