BTEC Applied Psychology Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Test Prep

Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort that occurs when an individual holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes, especially when their behavior conflicts with one of these beliefs. This theory, developed by Leon Festinger, suggests that when people experience dissonance, they may feel tension or unease, leading them to attempt to resolve the inconsistency. They might either change their beliefs, change their behaviors, or rationalize the conflict to restore cognitive harmony. This phenomenon is essential in understanding human motivation and decision-making processes, as it drives individuals to seek consistency within their beliefs and actions. The other options relate to either the absence of discomfort (like feeling comfortable with consistency) or an indifference towards conflicting beliefs, which do not accurately capture the essence of the cognitive dissonance concept.