You Are Not So Smart 301 - Cognitive Dissonance - Part Two
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Nov 25, 2024 Join Dr. Sarah Stein Lubrano, a political scientist specializing in cognitive dissonance, as she reveals how conflicting beliefs shape political behavior. She explores classic studies, showcasing how financial incentives can alter self-perception and belief systems. Delve into the struggle against cognitive biases in future predictions and the vital roles of gratitude and optimism. Sarah also emphasizes the importance of relationships in fostering change and highlights the societal shifts caused by Millennial migration, advocating for stronger community connections.
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The Cult Infiltration
- Leon Festinger infiltrated a doomsday cult and observed how members' beliefs strengthened after a failed prophecy.
- This led him to coin the term "cognitive dissonance" to describe the mental discomfort from conflicting beliefs.
The Boring Task Study
- Festinger and Carlsmith designed a boring task experiment involving spools and pegs to induce cognitive dissonance in students.
- They then asked students to lie about the task's enjoyability for different sums of money.
Insufficient Justification
- Students paid less to lie about the boring task later rated it as more enjoyable than those paid more.
- This "insufficient justification effect" shows how people internally justify actions lacking external justification.
