Festinger and Carlsmith Cognitive Dissonance Experiment: Unraveling the Mind's Justifications

Summary

In 1959, psychologists Leon Festinger and James Carl Smith conducted an influential experiment on cognitive dissonance. Participants were asked to perform a tedious task and then lie about its enjoyment, receiving either $1 or $20. Those who earned only $1 experienced greater cognitive dissonance, leading them to genuinely convince themselves the task was enjoyable. In contrast, those compensated with $20 felt justified in their dishonesty, reporting no shift in belief. This study highlights our tendency to rationalize behaviors to align with our beliefs, especially when external rewards are minimal. Have you ever faced cognitive dissonance? Share your experiences!

Takeaways

• 😀 Cognitive dissonance occurs when our actions conflict with our beliefs.
• 😀 Leon Festinger and James Carl Smith conducted a pivotal cognitive dissonance experiment in 1959.
• 😀 Participants in the experiment performed a boring task and were instructed to tell someone it was enjoyable.
• 😀 Participants were compensated either $1 or $20 for lying about the task.
• 😀 Those paid $1 experienced greater cognitive dissonance than those paid $20.
• 😀 The psychological tension from conflicting thoughts led $1 participants to convince themselves the task was enjoyable.
• 😀 Those paid $20 felt justified in their deception and reported no change in their beliefs.
• 😀 The experiment highlights how rationalization occurs when external incentives are minimal.
• 😀 Cognitive dissonance can lead to changes in personal beliefs to alleviate discomfort.
• 😀 The script encourages viewers to share their own experiences with cognitive dissonance.

Q & A

What is cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance is the psychological tension experienced when an individual holds two conflicting beliefs or when their actions contradict their beliefs.

Who conducted the famous cognitive dissonance experiment?

The experiment was conducted by psychologists Leon Festinger and James Carl Smith in 1959.

What task were participants asked to perform in the experiment?

Participants were asked to perform a boring task and then tell another person that it was enjoyable.

What were the payment conditions for the participants?

Participants were divided into two groups, with one group receiving $1 and the other group receiving $20 for lying about enjoying the task.

What was the surprising result of the experiment regarding payment?

Participants who received only $1 experienced greater cognitive dissonance and convinced themselves that the task was interesting, while those paid $20 felt justified in lying and showed no change in their beliefs.

How did the payment amount affect participants' feelings about the task?

A lower payment ($1) led to higher cognitive dissonance, causing participants to rationalize their behavior, while a higher payment ($20) allowed them to feel justified in their lie.

What does the experiment illustrate about human behavior?

The experiment illustrates how individuals often rationalize their behaviors to align with their beliefs, particularly when external incentives are minimal.

What kind of psychological tension is associated with cognitive dissonance?

The psychological tension is characterized by discomfort stemming from holding conflicting thoughts or beliefs, prompting individuals to find ways to resolve it.

What was the primary conclusion of Festinger and Smith's experiment?

The primary conclusion was that people are likely to alter their beliefs to reduce discomfort when faced with cognitive dissonance, especially when external rewards are low.

How can cognitive dissonance affect decision-making?

Cognitive dissonance can lead individuals to change their beliefs or attitudes about a decision or action to alleviate the discomfort of conflicting thoughts, influencing future choices.