WebIn 1955 Festinger left the University of Minnesota for Stanford University, where he and his students launched a series of laboratory experiments testing cognitive dissonance Leon Festinger was born on May 8, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York. Personality psych, Hovland, Carl I. '': Social psychology and group processes. Cognitive dissonance involves how the mind tries to make inconsistent information consistent. Festinger died of cancer before publishing his last scholarly foray, leaving colleagues and others with a strong impression of Festinger as an active scholar and of the importance of stepping outside the confines of any one field or method in the study of human life. For opinions, agreement with others who presumably are also motivated to hold correct views tends to make people feel more confident. Because each style has its own formatting nuances that evolve over time and not all information is available for every reference entry or article, Encyclopedia.com cannot guarantee each citation it generates. Hochberg, J., & Festinger, L. (1979). WebIn 1957 Leon Festinger developed a theory that refers to a situation involving conflicting attitudes, beliefs or behaviors which produces a feeling of discomfort which in turn makes the person alternate one of the attitudes, beliefs or behaviors to rid the discomfort. Biographical Memoirs, 64, 98-110. Studies in decision: I. Decision-time, relative frequency of judgment and subjective confidence as related to physical stimulus difference. In such situations, the conflict between what we think and what we do results in mental discomfort. The inconsistency between what they typically do and what they were asked to promote triggered a state of dissonance which they were motivated to reduce. The reason was simple: where an incentive was involved, people felt less conflict. And they were specific! Cognitive dissonance. WebLeon Festinger was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 8, 1919. Holtzman, J. D., Sedgwick, H. A., & Festinger, L. (1978). Cognitive Dissonance | Encyclopedia.com about their environment and their personalities. These findings led Festinger and his assistants to develop experimental approaches that many people consider to be the birth of systematic experimental social psychology.. When a person's behavior or beliefs change in response to cognitive dissonance, the term to describe this phenomenon is called dissonance reduction. Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology. (1951). 3 (2001): 383401. Such knowledge may motivate them to do likewise. https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/festinger-leon, Milite, George A. Cognitive Dissonance "Festinger, 1980, pp. New York: Columbia University Press, 1983. Usually, people will mentally alter the perceptions around their beliefs to accomplish this change. 4 (1989): 263269. But the influence of the theory of cognitive dissonance and the original study of the millennialist group has been far more extensive than numbers alone can convey. [1] At its heart, cognitive dissonance theory is rather simple. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). A theoretical interpretation of shifts in level of aspiration. Leon Festinger | A Pioneer in Social Psychology - Achology She has also worked as an ocean and Earth science educator. Many believers quit their jobs and disposed of their money, homes, and possessions in preparation for that event. He and his colleague James Carlsmith came up with an experiment to test it out. Then, in 1968, he moved back east to take a position at the New School for Social Research, where he briefly continued his research in perception before changing his field once more to archaeology and history. Their study of Westgate housing offered a social ecology of group and friendship formation; people living close to or coming into frequent informal contact with one another (mail room, stairwell, etc.) In D. Chadee (Ed. Foreword. The Clinical Psychology Movement: History & Lightner Witmer. Festinger discovered that students who had close social relationships had similar views on housing, while students who had differing attitudes on housing tended to be social isolates. Social psychology. FAMpeople is your site which contains biographies of famous people of the past and present. Introduction to Psychology: Tutoring Solution, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Leon Festinger's Theory of Cognitive Dissonance, History and Approaches: Tutoring Solution, Biological Bases of Behavior: Tutoring Solution, Sensation and Perception: Tutoring Solution, States of Consciousness: Tutoring Solution, Studying Intelligence: History, Psychologists & Theories, History of Intelligence Testing in Psychology, Studying Intelligence: Biological vs. Environmental Factors. https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/festinger-leon, "Festinger, Leon Social psychology describes cognitive dissonance as the feeling of unease, or dissonance, that happens when someone deals with contradictory information. Miles, J. In addition, some critics argue that people often engage in comparisons with individuals who differ from them in important ways and that such comparisons also supply valuable self-knowledge. '" alt="" title="LiveInternet: number of pageviews and visitors'+ This is usually accomplished by offering surveys on topics such as health, relationships, and personality characteristics. He received his bachelor's degree from City College of New York and went on to Iowa State University for his master's degree and his Ph.D. (which he received in 1942). WebLeon Festinger is a well known social psychologist and a pioneer for cognitive dissonance and social comparison. Hoffman, P. J., Festinger, L., & Lawrence, D. H. (1954). a principle he perhaps most famously practiced when personally infiltrating a doomsday cult. Changing their beliefs, behavior, or the perceptions of beliefs to become more consistent with their actions is the way people deal with cognitive dissonance, which is called dissonance reduction. Many people know that cigarettes cause cancer and other diseases, but nonetheless continue to smoke. Milite, George A. After reading literature on cancer, speaking with medical experts, and evaluating the possible side effects of treatment, he decided not to obtain treatment for himself. Best known for his theory of cognitive dissonance, first introduced in 1956 in the coauthored book When Prophecy Fails, Festingers social psychology departed from mechanistic notions of humans, and he can well be considered as part of the vanguard of social psychologists who revamped views of cognition in line with the information and communication theory of the mid-twentieth century, and who brought these into play with individual and group dynamics. Thrilling, right?). Whereas the experimental laboratory research into cognitive dissonance was also met with forceful critical analysis of its methodological shortcomings (Chapanis & Chapanis, 1964), the original real-world study was, in contrast, quite remarked upon as a far more illuminating and provocative account of it than mere natural history description would be likely to have given us (Smith, 1957, p. 90). Over the ensuing decade, research replicating and extending earlier findings, as well as conceptual clarifications, notably by Elliot Aronson, effectively rebutted these critiques. In 1945 Festinger became assistant professor at the Research Center for Group Dynamics, which was then headed by Lewin, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). document.write('Leon Festinger's Cognitive Dissonance Theory "Festinger, Leon Arising out of his interest in communication and influence, especially Jamuna Prasads 1950 study in rumors following a severe earthquake in Bihar, India, in 1934, Festingers theory of cognitive dissonance reigned for almost a decade of experimental social psychology, and continues to spawn research in other disciplines. How Cognitive Dissonance Affects Workplace Behaviors, Stereotypes and Automatic & Controlled Information Processing, The Asch Study & Solomon Asch | Importance of Solomon Asch, Robert Zajonc's Social Facilitation Theory | Overview & Components, Introduction to Social Psychology: Kurt Lewin & Modern Uses, Overjustification Effect | Motivation & Examples, Cognitive Dissonance in Marketing | Use, Examples & Overview, Hunger vs. Appetite | Differences, Physiology & Cues, The Theory of Mind and the False Belief Task, Bandura Bobo Doll Experiment | Social Learning & Results, Penicillin Resistance: How Penicillin-Resistant Bacteria Avoid Destruction, Bem's Self-Perception Theory | Self-Perception Examples, Solomon Asch's Experiment | The Asch Effect: Examples. that the experiment was fun. An Experimental Test of a Theory of Decision. PhD diss., State University of Iowa, 1942. However, Festinger acknowledged that this drive might apply only to Western cultures which promote individual achievement and competition. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). "Festinger, 1980, p. 237, After graduating, Festinger worked as a research associate at Iowa from 1941 to 1943, and then as a statistician for the Committee on Selection and Training of Aircraft Pilots at the University of Rochester from 1943 to 1945 during World War II. The theory of cognitive dissonance has been used to increase health-promoting and other desirable behaviors. ' for 24 hours is shown" '+ The predicted doomsday came and wentno flood, no flying saucers. ." Leon Festinger. In his Psychologists on Psychology. in psychology from the City College of New York in 1939. The centre was committed to the application of psychological concepts and methods to solve social problems, and it attracted many talented students, including Stanley Schachter and Harold Kelley. Some consequences of de-individuation in a group. Appeal to logic and he fails to see your point. We may think fast food is bad for our health, but cant resist stopping at Mcdonalds on our way home from work. Following Lewins lead, he conceived of the new methodology as a kind of experimental theatre, with cover stories, accomplices, and deception to control for confounding factors and to create a situation that was perceived as psychologically meaningful to the subject. There was thus a kind of feedback loop created between the real world and the laboratory, each serving to refine theory and research, as opposed to one site serving as the testing ground for application in the other. His theory of cognitive New York: Routledge.Fehr, B. "Zukier, p. xiv An obituary published by the American Psychologist stated that it was "doubtful that experimental psychology would exist at all" without Festinger.Zajonc, 1990, p. 661 Yet it seems that Festinger was wary about burdensome demands for greater empirical precision. This seems like the easiest approach but people don't tend to change their beliefs that often or that easily. There was little or no dissonance among the students who had been paid the $20, since, after all, they were well rewarded for their participation. In the late 1950s, two psychologists, Leon Festinger and James M. Carlsmith, did a cognitive dissonance experiment on what they called forced compliance. In 1945, Festinger moved to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to join Kurt Lewins Research Center for Group Dynamics as an assistant professor. Festinger, L., Cartwright, D., Barber, K., Fleischl, J., Gottsdanker, J., Keysen, A., & Leavitt, G. (1948). Second, once we become aware of this inconsistency, it will cause dissonance and, depending on how uncomfortable we are, we'll work to resolve this dissonance. Updates? copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Drakopoulos, S. A. The group paid only $1, though, had to change their attitude to fit their behavior in order to reduce the cognitive dissonance of not only lying but also being paid very little to do so. It refers to the discomfort we feel when we act in a way that contradicts our beliefs, encounter information that challenge our beliefs, or hold competing beliefs simultaneously. Leon Festinger. In his The Making of Psychology: Discussions with Creative Contributors. Festinger, along with many of his contemporaries, was seeking to rectify American psychologys slighting of cognitive phenomena in favor of behaviorism. Groups (or clubs) were formed of previously unacquainted individuals who were asked to discuss various issues. The Oak Park study began while Festinger was professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota in 1951, and was published shortly after he went to Stanford University in 1955. Comparative PsychologyHolland H. Waters and Bradford N. Bunnell The actual subjects tried to persuade the other discussion partners. Ways people may decrease cognitive dissonance is by changing their beliefs, behavior, or the perceptions of beliefs. Festinger was born on May 8, 1919 in Brooklyn New York to his All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. (1954). ), Theories in social psychology (pp. (2010). Leon and Mary divorced years later. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. succeed. WebLeon Festinger (1919-1989) Leon Festinger was a 20th century psychologist who developed the theories of cognitive dissonance and social comparison. (2016). Corrections? The theory of cognitive dissonance is a psychological principle that gets at these questions. Zukier, Henri. He is well known for cognitive dissonance and social comparison theory. Festinger was born in Brooklyn New York on May 8, 1919 to Russian-Jewish immigrants Alex Festinger and Sara Solomon Festinger. Festinger realized that progress in any science required methods appropriate to that field. Dissonance could be reduced by changing attitudes, altering perceptions and evaluations, or changing ones own behavior. The publicly stated belief will be held onto and given more importance. Trends in Cognitive Theory. In Contemporary Approaches to Cognition, edited by H. Gruber, K. R. Hammond, and R. Jessor. However, when Bob is at a friend's house during the Superbowl, everyone is drinking beers. Aronson, Elliot, and J. M. Carlsmith. He then turned his attention to early human history, producing a book, The Human Legacy (1983), in which he analyzed human problem solving and adaptation. Experimentation in Social Psychology. In The Handbook of Social Psychology: Second Edition, edited by Gardner Lindzey and Elliot Aronson. . MASLOW, ABRAHAM WebONE OF THE LAST TIMESLeon Festinger saw his father was in a nursing home in Brooklyn. Changing the perceptions around one's beliefs can also change behavior. This lay use of the term became popular, even though the conditions necessary for the occurrence of the state defined in the theory may not have been met in the situation to which the term was applied. They were the ones who were in a state of cognitive dissonance. "Festinger, 1989, p. 253 He also stressed that laboratory experimentation "cannot exist by itself," but that "there should be an active interrelation between laboratory experimentation and the study of real-life situations. As he saw it, the laboratory could limit theory and research because one has purified the thing so that you can see whether or not what you are looking for is there. To Festinger, switching back and forth between laboratory studies and studies in the real world, or field studies, as he referred to them, helped to clarify theory and get hunches and that kind of thing (Patnoe, 1988, p. 255). Complete Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Leon Festinger, (born May 8, 1919, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.died February 11, 1989, New York City), American cognitive psychologist, best known for his theory of cognitive dissonance, according to which inconsistency between thoughts, or between thoughts and actions, leads to discomfort (dissonance), Accordingly, social psychology needed its own experimental approach. His father, an embroidery manufacturer, had "left Russia a radical and atheist and remained faithful to these views throughout his life." 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(1989, February 12). 7 (1958): 194195. PracticalPsychology. Anne has experience in science research and creative writing. WebLeon Festinger Lunch With Leon Michael S. Gazzaniga Dartmouth College sured me that the seminar would be interesting, adding, Oh, andLeonisreallysmart,Mikeyoudbetterprepare.Thiswas one of Leons quirks: As he became acquainted with people in As a result, he did not take a single social psychology course and chose instead to focus on Lewins earlier work. Leon Festinger Cognitive dissonance was first investigated by Leon Festinger, arising out of a participant observation study of a cult that believed that the earth was going to be Psychological Statistics. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. THOUGHTS OUT OF TUNE Journal of Abnormal and Distinguished Scientific Contribution Awards: 1959. American Psychologist 14, no. Leon Festinger. He suggested that in the case of abilities, humans possess a unidirectional drive upward which does not apply to opinions.
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