A fork of Rural Dictionary
An example of somebody displaying cognitively dissonant behaviour would be a situation where the persons views, values, beliefs etc are contradicted or opposed by one or other persons causing them mental (psychological) stress. At this point a state of cognition is triggered effectively causing them to refute, reject &/or miss-perceive the contradictory views, values or beliefs.
It is also used by assholes on the internet who try to sound smarter then they really are, without actually knowing what it means.
"smoking will most likely cause you to have cancer you know?"
"hmmm I'm not so sure I know people who have smoked all their lives and they're fine, plus I enjoy it anyway.." this is cognitive dissonance
A term used by assholes on the internet who try to sound smarter then they really are, without knowing what it actually means
“Wear a mask”
“Oh no I don’t think I shall, you must have cognitive dissonance”