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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===
| + | ==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; |
| | * 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; | | * 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; |
| − | * A preacher, who thinks he is righteous, finds himself tempted to sin; | + | * A devout [[Muslim]] finds contradictions in the [[Qur'an]]. |
| | + | * 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=== | + | == 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; |
| − | * [[Rationalization]]: Inventing faulty justifications in an effort to maintain both contradictory ideas as true; | + | * 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]]. | + | [[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 == |
| | + | *[[Atheists and cognitive dissonance]] |
| | + | *[[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== |
| | + | <references/> |
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| − | [[Category:Logic]][[Category:Psychology]][[Category:Mental health]] | + | [[Category:Logic]] |
| | + | [[Category:Psychology]] |
| | + | [[Category:Mental Health]] |