托福口语 Task 3

In psychology, the concept of 'cognitive dissonance' refers to the mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes. This discomfort often leads individuals to alter their beliefs or rationalize their actions to reduce the inconsistency. The theory, proposed by Leon Festinger, suggests that people strive for internal consistency, and when inconsistency arises, they are motivated to resolve it, sometimes by changing their existing beliefs or by adding new ones that justify the conflict.

Professor: Let me give you an example from a study. A group of smokers was asked to read an article about the severe health risks of smoking. After reading, they felt uncomfortable because their habit conflicted with the information. Instead of quitting, many of them convinced themselves that the risks were exaggerated or that smoking helped them manage stress, which was more important. One participant said, 'I know it's harmful, but it calms my nerves, so the benefits outweigh the risks.' This rationalization reduced their mental discomfort without changing their behavior. So, you see, cognitive dissonance drove them to adjust their beliefs to match their actions.