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

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

5. 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

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

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