Psychology
cognitive dissonance
noun
Definition
The mental discomfort felt when holding two contradictory beliefs or when actions conflict with beliefs.
In a sentence
“Smokers often experience cognitive dissonance between knowing smoking is harmful and continuing the habit.”
Synonyms
psychological conflictinternal contradiction
Common collocations
- experience cognitive dissonance
- reduce cognitive dissonance
More from Psychology
cognition
noun
The mental processes of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought and experience.
perception
noun
The way in which something is regarded, understood, or interpreted by the mind or senses.
motivation
noun
The reason or reasons one has for acting in a particular way; the drive to act.
behaviour
noun
The way in which a person or animal acts in response to a particular situation.