TOEFL Speaking Task 3

The concept of 'cognitive dissonance' refers to the mental discomfort experienced when an individual holds two or more conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. According to social psychology, people are motivated to reduce this discomfort by changing their beliefs, justifying their actions, or acquiring new information that resolves the conflict. This process helps restore internal consistency and psychological balance.

Professor: Let me illustrate cognitive dissonance with a classic example. Imagine a student, Sarah, who strongly believes that smoking is harmful and unhealthy. However, she finds herself in a social situation where her friends offer her a cigarette, and she accepts it to fit in. After smoking, she feels uneasy and conflicted because her action contradicts her belief. To reduce this discomfort, she might change her belief by thinking, 'Well, smoking occasionally isn't that bad.' Or she might justify her behavior by saying, 'I only did it to be social; it won't become a habit.' Another possibility is she seeks information that downplays the risks, like reading an article that claims moderate smoking has minimal effects. By doing so, she aligns her belief with her behavior, easing the tension.