Table T-2

 

Basic Propositions of Cognitive Dissonance Theory

 

1. If a person has two thoughts that the person considers inconsistent, the individual will experience dissonance.

2. Dissonance is an unpleasant state, like anxiety or hunger.

3. A person will try to reduce dissonance.

4. Changing one of the thoughts to make it consistent with the other is one way of reducing dissonance.