cognitive dissonance

noun

, Psychology.

1. anxiety or discomfort that results from simultaneously holding contradictory or otherwise incompatible attitudes, beliefs, or the like, such as when someone likes a person but disapproves strongly of one of their habits.

cognitive dissonance

noun

1. psychol an uncomfortable mental state resulting from conflicting cognitions; usually resolved by changing some of the cognitions

Word History and Origins

Origin of cognitive dissonance¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

Or is he coming up with some other narrative to resolve the cognitive dissonance of being so humiliated before an audience of tens of millions by a Black woman?

From Salon

Even when women do become more Republican to conform to a husband's expectations, they often do so more to reduce cognitive dissonance and not because they feel forced.

From Salon

But the cognitive dissonance of this convention goes well beyond that forlorn, misbegotten entrepreneurial venture.

From Salon

The musical builds to a showstopper that is meant to create maximum cognitive dissonance.

From Los Angeles Times

“The cognitive dissonance between a $38 million verdict and the finding of a ‘single incident’ of actionable abuse cannot stand,” wrote Schulman, who acknowledged that he should have instructed the jury more clearly.

From Seattle Times