Cognitive dissonance is tension from inconsistency between behavior and values

Evidence

Cognitive dissonance is the name given to this unpleasant feeling when we fear we have made a mistake, when doubts arise about a decision, when a previous commitment is called into question. It describes the inner state of tension that arises when our behavior is not consistent with our values, when an investment yields less profit than expected, an action is more arduous than anticipated, when a decision turns out to be wrong, when we are disappointed or frustrated about something we ourselves have chosen. — Holm Gero Hümmler, Ulrike Schiesser, Fact and Prejudice, 172

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines cognitive dissonance as the aversive tension arising when chosen actions conflict with one’s self-image.

Related

• Cognitive dissonance resolves primarily to protect self-worth, not truth (similarity 0.80)
• People reduce dissonance by changing beliefs rather than behavior (similarity 0.79)
• Dissonance cannot be fully quantified because it is a subjective human impression (similarity 0.78)