Advertisement
Advertisement
cognitive dissonance
noun
- anxiety or discomfort that results from simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes, beliefs, or the like, such as when someone likes a person but disapproves strongly of one of their habits.
cognitive dissonance
noun
- psychol an uncomfortable mental state resulting from conflicting cognitions; usually resolved by changing some of the cognitions
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of cognitive dissonance1
Discover More
Example Sentences
A big part of the reason is a simple psychological phenomenon called cognitive dissonance.
But when the school holds a ceremony honoring the soldiers who killed her Arab brethren, she suffers clear cognitive dissonance.
The European rules create cognitive dissonance: Reality refuses to line up with their convictions.
One astutely muses about cognitive dissonance among the many conservative Republicans within the 47%.
The concept of "pinkwashing," for example, had to be developed to overcome progressive cognitive dissonance.
But the most common reaction is the good old cognitive dissonance.
One of the classic defence mechanisms is the cognitive dissonance.
Advertisement
Word of the Day
[ak-suh-lot-l ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse