Cognitive Dissonance Theory (CDT) Early focus on persuasion/decision-making Leon Festinger

Assumptions of CDT Human beings desire Dissonance created by Dissonance is driving people to actions with measurable effects Dissonance motivates efforts to &

YOU Assess CDT Scope – breadth of behaviors covered Logical consistency – concepts work together & show what results from their interactions Parsimony – simplicity of explanation Utility – usefulness or practicality Testability – ability to investigate Heurism – amount of new research/thinking stimulated Test of Time

Scholarly Strengths of CDT Generally & Offers insight into relationship among attitudes, cognitions affect, & behaviors Basis for over a thousand studies

Scholarly Criticisms of CDT Lacking high degree of Difficult to prove wrong