Definisjon

Det ubehagelige mentale kaoset som oppstår når en person opplever to motstridende sannheter samtidig. Dette forekommer ofte hos pårørende eller venner rundt et voldsoffer når voldsutøver utøver smear campaigns og karakterdrap av offeret.

Det er f.eks. mekanismen som aktiveres i et menneske når et voldsoffer forteller at en partner som virker nærmest plettfri utad, har vært voldelig i hjemmet, at offeret forsvarer voldsutøver overfor venner og familie. Cognitive dissonance lammer offerets evne til å tenke logisk og rasjonelt, skaper forvirring, selvfornektelse, og en konstant trang til å unnskylde voldsutøvers oppførsel.

“When I disagree, they turn away”

“When I show them facts, they question my sources”

“When I appeal to logic, they fail to see my point”

– Festinger’s Theory

When you believe that you are incapable of being manipulated, but recieve information that says you are being manipulated; cognitive dissonance occurs.

When you believe you know everything, but then receive information that states that everything you thought you knew was wrong; cognitive dissonance occurs.

When you are convinced that somebody is a good person, but then receive information that says the person is malicious; cognitive dissonance occurs.

When your reality is that Z is the truth, but then recieve information that says that your reality actually is 0; cognitive dissonance occurs.

If you physically attacked another person because you were convinced they were dangerous, but later received information that says the person you injured was harmless; cognitive dissonance occurs.