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 reduce the inconsistency by changing their beliefs, justifying their behavior, or avoiding new information that conflicts with their existing views. Cognitive dissonance is a powerful motivator for attitude change, as people strive for internal consistency and harmony in their thoughts.

Professor: Let me give you a classic example. Imagine a student named Sarah who strongly believes that smoking is harmful and unhealthy. Yet, she starts smoking because her friends do, and she wants to fit in. After a few weeks, she begins to feel uneasy—she knows smoking is bad for her, but she continues to do it. To reduce this discomfort, she starts telling herself that 'the risks are exaggerated' or that 'she'll quit soon anyway.' She might even avoid reading articles about lung cancer. Eventually, to fully ease her mind, she may change her belief entirely, convincing herself that smoking isn't that dangerous after all. This shift in her attitude helps her align her thoughts with her behavior, reducing the mental tension.