causes. Leon Festinger stated that, [Cognitive Dissonance] induces a drive stateneed to avoid or reduce dissonance by changing our beliefs, attitudes or behaviors so they are perceived as consistent (http://spot.colorado.com/~craigr/Dissonance/sld002.htm). This decision to reduce dissonance within ones self is often done subconsciously; however, we all will be faced with the opportunity to make that decision consciously, if we havent been already.Individual ExamplesThe CEO of XYZ Corporation is a person of high morals and values. This CEO recognizes the critical role that each individual worker plays in the overall success of the companybelieving that everyone is a crucial, inseparable part of the whole company. Recently, the board of directors instructed this CEO to lay off 10,000 workerssaying that the company needs to increase profits so stock prices will continue to go up and that they would give him a 15% bonus on his already hefty $750,000/year salary to do it. The board of directors also added that if he couldnt lay the workers off, then they would find someone who could. This CEO is feeling the discomfort of cognitive dissonancedoes he change or twist his beliefs to match the actions it would take to keep his job, or does he continue allowing his beliefs to direct his actions? Either way it appears the workers will be laid off. Cognitive Dissonance between Two PartiesWhen party A does one thing and party B believes something that is not congruent with the action of party A, then you have cognitive dissonance between two parties. Of course, you cant control the actions of another person, but is there a point where you should share your belief even though it may be contrary to the other persons actions? And is this a good or a bad thing? It can be a good thing if approach appropriately. For instance, your boss is conducting business operations in a certain way, but you have the attitude or belief that if the business ...
