In this article, we consider in detail such a concept as dissonance. What it is? In what areas is it used?
Terminology
The word comes from the Latin dissonantia, which literally can be translated as "dissonant sound." Dissonance - what is this term? What is its content? This term is actively used in various fields. For example, it is often used in art, psychology, and philosophy. Does the word dissonance have a synonym? There are several concepts with a similar meaning. Here are the most common of them: discrepancy, disagreement, contradiction, disharmony, cacophony (the latter is a synonym from the field of music theory). In fact, this is a violation of harmony, a kind of discomfort caused by the inconsistency of existing knowledge and ideas with other new facts. Dissonance - what is it, for example, in art theory? Let us turn to the scientific interpretation. According to the encyclopedia, dissonance in music is a dissonant sound. In this case, simultaneously sounding tones do not merge with each other.
Opposing concepts
Consonance (from Latin consonantia - euphony) is a completely polar definition of dissonance. But together they characterize the relationship between two pairs of “elements”. They, these components, in fact, are knowledge. Some "elements" are knowledge regarding their "I". Others are information concerning the general problems of the world order. The term "knowledge" was often used in the broad sense of the word, including, in addition to, in fact, information, also opinions, as well as beliefs, attitudes and values. Despite the fact that there are quite significant differences between these phenomena, they can be considered "elements of knowledge." And it is precisely between their pairs that there can be dissonance and consonance.
Relationship types
If cognitive elements are not found anywhere, do not intersect with each other and have nothing to do with each other, such elements should be called irrelevant. For us, however, only those elements are of interest, between which relations of consonance and dissonance can and do arise. The theory of cognitive dissonance was formulated in the middle of the twentieth century by Leon Festinger. According to it, two separately located elements will be in dissonance with respect to one another if the negation of one of them is derived from the other. Here is an example: a person is sure that he is surrounded exclusively by his friends, but still feels discomfort and fear in this situation.
That is, there is a presence of a dissonance relation. Or another example: a person who got into serious debt suddenly decides to go on an expensive trip around the world. Here, too, two cognitive elements will dissonate among themselves. The “discord” between the two elements of knowledge may appear as a result of a number of different reasons. It may be the desires and expectations of a person, acquired life experience, or other factors. We will consider them in more detail below.
Causes of Cognitive Dissonance
To the question "dissonance - what is it" we have already answered. Now, for the sake of completeness, it is worthwhile to deal with the causes and factors of its occurrence. Firstly, it can arise due to logical inconsistency. For example, if a person is sure that he will build a solid house in a year, but he has no idea how to lay the foundation, then these two elements are dissonant. Secondly, cultural traditions or customs may be the cause. Suppose that a man does not give way to an old grandmother in a tram, but knows perfectly well that he must do this according to the established rules of etiquette and moral standards. In this case, his knowledge of cultural norms and the realization of what he is doing wrong are dissonant relationships. Although in some other culture where it is not customary to give way to transport to older people, this situation would obviously not be an example of the relationship in question.
Thirdly, dissonance arises when a private opinion in a specific situation goes beyond the framework of a more generalized one. For example, a citizen who considers himself a radical votes in the election for a candidate of liberal views. Cognitive elements in these two opinions will be dissonant. Finally, a state of cognitive dissonance can occur as a result of previous experience. Imagine a man who several times in his life got an acute sore throat after eating ice cream. And now, once again, he eats it. However, he hopes not to get sick again. This is a prime example of cognitive dissonance based on past life experiences.
Degree of Inconsistency
One obvious aspect will help determine the level of dissonance. It lies in the objective characteristics of the elements between which there is an “inappropriate” relationship. Suppose that two cognitive components in a knowledge system are dissonant with respect to each other. Then the degree of "inconsistency" will be in direct proportion to the level of importance of these elements. If the components are very significant for a particular individual, then the indicator of dissonance will be, respectively, high.
Examples
Imagine a man serving fifty rubles to a beggar beggar in an underpass. At the same time, this person realizes that the poor man does not really need this money. But still he gives money, and the dissonance that arises in this case between the two elements is not very strong. After all, neither the first nor the second element is so significant for this person. And the second, radically opposite example. A student, in anticipation of an important exam for him, is absolutely not preparing for him. At the same time, he is well aware that the level of his knowledge of the subject will not allow him to pass this test. And in this case, the degree of dissonance for the student will be much higher, because both elements of knowledge are very important for the individual.
Are there systems free of dissonance relations?
With a great deal of certainty, we can assume that in our life objectively there is no such system that would be completely free from the presence of "inconsistency". After all, no matter what action the individual is going to take, no matter what feeling he may feel, there will always be at least one insignificant cognitive element that will enter into a dissonant relationship with the “behavioral” component.
Here is a simple example. It would seem that the ordinary and trivial belief in the necessity and usefulness of an evening walk before bedtime may have some cognitive elements that will discord this knowledge. So, a person may think that at home they are waiting for some business that he must finish. Or he will notice that it is gathering rain and the like. In a word, to any cognitive element in one system there are bound to be other elements relevant to it, therefore, an undoubted fact is the presence, albeit to a small degree, of dissonance.