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[[File:Freethinkers.jpg|thumbnail|250px|right|Many [[Militant atheism|militant atheists]] show signs of cognitive dissonance and dogmatism when engaged in discussions.
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See also: [[Atheism and open-mindedness]] and [[Atheism and dogmatism]] ]]
 
'''Cognitive dissonance''' is stress or discomfort caused by simultaneously holding contradictory ideas.   
 
'''Cognitive dissonance''' is stress or discomfort caused by simultaneously holding contradictory ideas.   
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===Examples of cognitive dissonance===
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==Examples of cognitive dissonance==
 
* A mother, who believes that her son is a good boy, learns that he has committed a serious crime;
 
* A mother, who believes that her son is a good boy, learns that he has committed a serious crime;
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* An atheist, who believes that there is no design or purpose in biological life, faces arguments and evidence that support the existence of a designer;
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* A devout [[Muslim]] finds contradictions in the [[Qur'an]].
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* Anti-police leftist rioters, [[Defund the police|who want to see police departments abolished based on perceived grievances]] (whether real or imaginary), suddenly demand police protection for themselves after they lose fights against pro-police patriots.
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===Responses to cognitive dissonance===
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== Signs of cognitive dissonance in a person engaged in a discussion/argument ==
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Below are signs of cognitive dissonance in a person engaged in a discussion/argument:
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*The person is unwilling to concede obvious factual points and arguments
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*The individual mischaracterizes the points/position of the other party - often in a dishonest way
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*The person myopically focuses on one variable/aspect of a matter rather than looking at the whole issue. See also: [[Fallacy of exclusion]]
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*The individual engages in "mind reading" and baselessly attributes bad intentions in the other party
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*The person becomes angry - even when not provoked.
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*Rather than focus on the matter at hand, the person engages in personal attacks. See also: [[Ad hominem]]
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==== Overcoming cognitive dissonance in a person who has shut down rational thinking ====
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Below are techniques to eliminate/overcome cognitive dissonance in a person you are having a discussion with:
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*Build trust/rapport in the other person through displaying empathy and using humor
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==Responses to cognitive dissonance==
 
People respond to the uncomfortable feelings associated with cognitive dissonance in a number of ways, including:
 
People respond to the uncomfortable feelings associated with cognitive dissonance in a number of ways, including:
 
* [[Resolution]]: Identifying the source of the contradiction and adjusting one one or both of the contradicting beliefs to eliminate the contradiction;
 
* [[Resolution]]: Identifying the source of the contradiction and adjusting one one or both of the contradicting beliefs to eliminate the contradiction;
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* [[Rationalization]]: Inventing faulty justifications in an effort to maintain both contradictory ideas as true;
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* Rationalization: Inventing faulty justifications in an effort to maintain both contradictory ideas as true;
 
* [[Denial]]: Denying the existence of a contradiction where one exists
 
* [[Denial]]: Denying the existence of a contradiction where one exists
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[[George Orwell]] famously discussed cognitive dissonance in his novel [[1984]], using the term [[doublethink]].
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[[George Orwell]] famously discussed cognitive dissonance in his novel [[1984]], using the term [[doublethink]]. However, doublethink refers to the ability to overcome the stress or discomfort and to accept the contradictory ideas.<ref>[http://www.newspeakdictionary.com/ns-dict.html Newspeak Dictionary]</ref>
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== See also ==
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*[[Atheists and cognitive dissonance]]
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*[[Evolutionary schizophrenia]]
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== External link ==
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*[https://grok.com/share/c2hhcmQtNA%3D%3D_5a9db2f8-31b6-4695-81d8-c68dc4aafd9b The Cognitive Dissonance Model: Apply It For Personal Growth]
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==References==
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<references/>
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[[Category:Logic]][[Category:Psychology]][[Category:Mental health]]
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[[Category:Logic]]
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[[Category:Psychology]]
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[[Category:Mental Health]]
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