Cognitive Dissonance Theory

Definition

Cognitive dissonance theory is a psychological concept that explains the mental discomfort experienced when an individual holds conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes. This theory suggests that people are motivated to reduce this dissonance, often by changing their beliefs or justifying their behaviors, which can play a significant role in character development and backstory in storytelling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cognitive dissonance occurs when characters face situations that challenge their beliefs or values, leading to internal conflict that can drive character development.
2. A common way characters resolve cognitive dissonance is by altering their beliefs to align with their actions, which can reveal deeper motivations and backstory.
3. This theory can help writers create relatable characters by illustrating how they cope with contradictions in their lives, making them more human and complex.
4. Dissonance often arises from choices made by characters; these choices can lead to significant plot developments as they navigate the consequences of their decisions.
5. Understanding cognitive dissonance can also aid in crafting character arcs where the evolution of beliefs reflects growth or regression throughout the narrative.

Review Questions

• How does cognitive dissonance contribute to character development within a story?
  • Cognitive dissonance contributes to character development by creating internal conflict that forces characters to confront their beliefs and values. When characters experience dissonance, they often undergo transformations, either justifying their actions or changing their beliefs to alleviate discomfort. This process not only deepens the character's complexity but also engages the audience by making them relatable and realistic as they struggle with similar conflicts.
• In what ways can understanding cognitive dissonance enhance a writer's ability to create compelling narratives?
  • Understanding cognitive dissonance enhances a writer's ability to create compelling narratives by providing a framework for character motivation and conflict. Writers can design situations where characters face choices that lead to dissonance, prompting them to either change their beliefs or rationalize their actions. This tension can drive the plot forward and foster emotional engagement from readers as they witness characters grapple with the consequences of their decisions.
• Evaluate the role of cognitive dissonance in shaping a character's backstory and its impact on their future actions within the narrative.
  • Cognitive dissonance plays a critical role in shaping a character's backstory by revealing past conflicts that have influenced their current beliefs and behaviors. Characters who have faced significant dissonance may have developed coping mechanisms that impact their future actions, creating patterns of behavior that drive the narrative. By evaluating how these past experiences affect a character's choices and reactions in the present, writers can craft rich and multi-dimensional arcs that resonate with audiences on a deeper level.

Related terms

Attitude Change: The process by which a person's feelings, beliefs, or behaviors regarding a particular topic are altered.

Justification of Effort: The tendency for individuals to attribute greater value to outcomes they have put effort into achieving, even if those outcomes are less desirable.

Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one’s pre-existing beliefs.