Cognitive Dissonance — Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort associated with conflicting beliefs, commitments, or actions. A person sometimes reduces that discomfort by changing behavior, revising a belief, or creating a justification. After deception, the conflict between trusting someone and recognizing their dishonesty illustrates this experience. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Dissonance — Cognitive dissonance describes psychological discomfort associated with inconsistency among beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, or behavior. A survivor experiences this discomfort when evidence of fraud conflicts with a firmly held belief in a relationship. Efforts to reduce the discomfort include revising beliefs, changing behavior, or rationalizing the inconsistency, with different consequences for accepting the facts. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 7, 2026