TODAY’S THOUGHT: COGNITIVE DISSONANCE

Have you ever told yourself, “I know I should do better,” and then found yourself doing exactly what you knew you should not do?

You are not alone.

Psychologist Leon Festinger (1957) described cognitive dissonance as the psychological discomfort that arises when we hold inconsistent thoughts, beliefs or behaviours. In simple terms, it is the uncomfortable feeling we experience when our actions do not match the person we believe ourselves to be.

Psychologist Elliot Aronson later emphasised the role of our self-image in dissonance: we often work hard to see ourselves as reasonable, responsible and consistent, and when our behaviour threatens that image, we feel pressure to explain it, justify it or change it.

At school, cognitive dissonance can happen more often than we realise.

The important question is not simply “Have I experienced it?” The important question is:

“What will I do when I notice that my behaviour does not match the person I want to become?”

For Instance;

You believe that you are kind, respectful and fair to other people. But you laugh when someone is being mocked. You join in when a student is being excluded. You forward an embarrassing message or encourage others to make fun of someone.

The Dissonance: You see yourself as a kind and respectful person, while your actions are contributing to another student's humiliation or distress.

Mr.Y. Kwatiwani

Deputy Headmaster (Academic)