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Cognitive Dissonance
Series of Essays
In the November
4, 2003-edition of the PABIA-NEWS, Support Lines, I included a piece
entitled, "Cognitive Dissonance." In it I explained my understanding of the
term "cognitive dissonance" to describe the bothered state of disagreement,
sometimes pained state of mind that occurs when new evidence contradicts a
current belief or outlook.
Some people asked for a follow-up to that essay by asking, "How
do we overcome the disharmony that arises in our state of mind when new
evidence contradicts a current belief or outlook?" My reply was a very simple
one, "We must choose between our belief and the new evidence." Yet the
question haunted me. How do we overcome cognitive dissonance?
I had to fight it to continue writing about this
subject. "I'm not formally trained in this." I thought, "I only have my
personal experiences and the reading I've done, which has not been
exhaustive..."
Then a friend told me that my experiences could
help others gain a deeper insight into this matter. Her encouragement helped
me to slay some of the thought soldiers that were keeping me from doing my
job.
I had to write about this. I needed to share my
understanding. It was begging to be written. I didn't have an outline. Nor
did I have any idea where this writing journey would take me. Most
professional writing instructors would insist that a writer use an outline.
But if I had spent time attempting to outline this series, I'd have given
up. My life is too busy to spend allot of time organizing my thoughts in
outline form. I already had written much of the content when I was working
through dissonance myself.
I want to thank Denise Frankoff and Joyce Schlag
for helping me build the foundation for this work in 1984. None of us
realized it at the time, but the Negative Thought Stopping techniques that
Joyce taught me and Denise's insistence that I journalize my life have grown
into a lush garden of ability and understanding. They might not even be
aware of my writing and of their influence.
I also want to thank Andrea Williams for her
assistance in my life. She has been instrumental in my personal battle
against the battalions of thought soldiers. Andrea is the true champion of
all people with disabilities in the ongoing struggle for equality,
empowerment and freedom.
I'd like to thank Malin Lowenadler-Shadel for
prodding me and encouraging me to continue writing. Without her push, I
might never have followed up on the first piece in this series.
I owe a debt of gratitude to many authors and
publishers for the wealth of knowledge about the Theory of Cognitive
Dissonance originally created by Leon Festinger in 1957. I am also indebted
to many self-help authors and speakers. From my first job in sales, I
learned how to overcome objections, think affirmatively and adjust my
attitude.
I first learned of
the Theory of Cognitive Dissonance years ago in the book Social Psychology: Individuals, Groups,
Societies by John W. McDavid and Herbert Harari, Harper and Row,
Copyright 1968 by John W. McDavid and Herbert Harari. Library of Congress
Catalog Card Number: 68-10443.
It was only recently that I consciously applied Festinger's theory to disability related issues.
I want to thank those who have given me positive
feedback about this series. Your comments have
encouraged me to continue writing. Thanks to Bill, at the PABIA meeting
March 2, 2004, for encouraging me to put the Cognitive Dissonance essays all
in one place. Your comments are the reason I've created this page and
compiled this collection for easy access.
Many people have unknowingly been instrumental
in my journey. I am grateful to all of the people who have helped me learn
these lessons and to realize that I am the commander of my thought garden. Without
their influence, whether positive or negative, I'd never have learned to
recognize and overcome the causes and effects of cognitive dissonance in my
life and society.
The following links lead to the sections of this
series in the order that they were were originally published.
                 
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