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Cognitive dissonance can lead to changes in beliefs over time from "summary" of The Influential Mind by Tali Sharot
When individuals hold conflicting beliefs or attitudes, it creates an uncomfortable psychological state that necessitates resolution. This tension compels people to seek harmony between their beliefs and behaviors. Often, the most straightforward resolution involves altering one’s beliefs to align with actions rather than the other way around. For instance, if someone who smokes acknowledges that smoking is harmful but continues to smoke, the dissonance between their belief and behavior can lead them to downplay the risks associated with smoking or to rationalize their habit. This process is not just a temporary fix. Over time, the adjustments made to beliefs can solidify, leading to a genuine transformation in one's worldview. The brain, eager to maintain a sense of coherence, actively seeks to minimize the discomfort caused by contradictory beliefs. Through this mechanism, people may become more entrenched in their modified beliefs, often embracing them more fervently than before. Social influences play a significant role. When surrounded by others who share altered beliefs, individuals are likely to adopt these views more fully. This communal reinforcement can create an echo chamber, further entrenching the new beliefs while diminishing the perceived validity of the original conflicting perspective. As beliefs shift, they can reshape future behaviors and decision-making processes. The initial discomfort that sparked the change can morph into a new, cohesive identity that aligns more closely with the modified beliefs. This natural inclination toward internal consistency illustrates the powerful influence of dissonance on the evolution of personal beliefs over time.
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