cognitive dissonance

noun

: psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously

Examples of cognitive dissonance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Win or lose, though, animal advocates will still face the wearying task of trying to bridge the public’s cognitive dissonance about where our meat comes from and channel it productively into politics. —Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 10 Oct. 2024

Though Active Greens are a relatively small segment — fewer than one in five consumers fall into this category — our advice to companies is to recognize the cognitive dissonance that many feel when making purchases. —Forrester, Forbes, 7 Oct. 2024

Human brains are hard-wired to reduce cognitive dissonance and preserve self-esteem. —David M. Edelstein, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2015

Given that, seeing such ambitious, brilliant women colleagues — particularly women of color — face such inequities felt like cognitive dissonance. —Ruchika T. Malhotra, Harvard Business Review, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cognitive dissonance

noun

: psychological conflict resulting from simultaneously held incongruous beliefs and attitudes (as a fondness for smoking and a belief that it is harmful)