0
$\begingroup$

Given the following hypothetical situation:

An individual discovers that his girlfriend has cheated on him, but decides to continue to date her after she assures him that she will not do it again. Upon reading messages on her phone he becomes suspicious and begins to believe that she will cheat on him again. He simultaneously believes he should break up with his girlfriend but also doesn't want to break up with her despite having absolutely no support for anything but monogamy.

Is that a good example of Cognitive Dissonance?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ I have edited this question. I think now it's probably "Too Localized" rather than "Off Topic", but we'll see what the community thinks. $\endgroup$
    – Josh
    Commented Jan 25, 2015 at 4:59

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1
$\begingroup$

Wikipedia: cognitive dissonance is the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time, or is confronted by new information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values.

So yes it is an example of Cognitive Dissonance.

Belief number 1. "I trust my girlfriend."

Belief number 2. "My girlfriend is not trustworthy"

Belief number 1. "I like my girlfriend and I don't want to break up with her."

Belief number 2. "My girlfriend cheated on me, THEREFORE I should break up with her."

The first set is based on the individual's comfort with his girlfriend being monogamous. His girlfriend has displayed capability and desire to not be monogamous. Loving relationships are usually based on openness and trust- e.g. that both know the conditions and stick to them and discuss any changes. It looks like this initial understanding is missing and the preconceptions of monogamy have now be called into question.

The second set is based on a cognitive framework of how relationships should work that logically says that cheating means breaking up.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.