Cognitive dissonance is more common than you think. In the field of psychology, it occurs when a person’s beliefs or values contradict their behavior or attitude and creates the feeling of mental discomfort. If someone loves animals but still eats meat, they may feel cognitive dissonance. If someone considers themselves an ethical person, but as an employee, engages in unethical ways to increase their sales, they may feel the discomfort, too.
Since cognitive dissonance can occur in everyday situations, here are some facts about the condition, how to manage it and how to identify it.
