cognitive dissonance

noun

: psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously

Examples of cognitive dissonance in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Words may fall short when portraying the shock, trauma and cognitive dissonance, but when words fail, there are images, objects and sensual immersion that can convey a perception of what happened and how the Nova festival community has come together for healing and hope. —Karen-Janine Cohen, Sun Sentinel, 16 Jan. 2025

Humor is a helpful tool in dealing with tension and stress, so making jokes about an incident that can help manage the feelings of cognitive dissonance and helplessness news like this can elicit. —Callum Booth, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

But otherwise, Season 2 mostly offers cognitive dissonance and frustration. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024

The scoring that Reznor and Ross have done for Challengers returns to The Social Network’s playful cognitive dissonance between subject matter and genre of music. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

cognitive dissonance

noun

: psychological conflict resulting from simultaneously held incongruous beliefs and attitudes (as a fondness for smoking and a belief that it is harmful)