Cognitive Dissonance

The negative feeling we experience when something is in conflict with our existing beliefs or values.

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Key Insights & Principles

Personal Growth

1. There is often a gap between what people believe and how they act.
2. We often feel the need to justify our actions, even if they conflict with our ideas of beliefs.
3. Once we make our mind up about what is 'right', we ignore contrary information for a long as possible.
4. When we are first confronted with information that is contrary to our beliefs, it can make us more resolute or tied to those beliefs, even when we are wrong.
5. There is internal pressure to maintain an image of who we are.
6. When we set goals, our brain starts to identify gaps between where we are and those goals, and resolve this cognitive dissonance by trying to fill in the gaps.
7. We often struggle to accept our own success and status.
8. The human brain can change after repeated exposure to information or inputs (habits).
9. It can often be easier to continue down an irrational path than stop. We often do this by creating rationalising stories.

1. Do what is right for you, not for anyone else.
2. Adopt positive affirmations, and repeat regularly.
3. Review values, and adopt clear principles that align with those values.

Book References