7 Biases That Everyone Has (And How They F*ck Up Your Life)
2. Cognitive Dissonance: Your Inner Hypocrite
Cognitive dissonance. We've all heard about this
one.
Cognitive dissonance is what happens when a person holds two or more contradictory belief systems. It's why anti-vaxxers are okay with alternative medicine making billion dollars per year profits but vilify the pharmaceutical companies that do the same, it's why anti-GMOers against genetically modified food are okay with using insulin, it's how homophobic gay people become state senators and it's how anti-abortionists rationalise having abortions.
The term cognitive dissonance is actually used to describe the feelings of discomfort that result from holding conflicting beliefs. When there is a discrepancy between beliefs, something must change in order to eliminate or reduce that feeling of discomfort.
This typically results in an individual tying themselves in knots to explain away their contradictory ideas until they feel comfortable in their ability to hold onto them. It's also a survival mechanism for those feel the need to protect their beliefs. A person might rationalise their belief by shifting the blame, deflect by shifting the Burden of Proof or cite a conspiracy theory.