Leon Festinger advanced the idea of: 

(A) meaning paradigm

(B) psychodynamic strategy

(C) cognitive dissonance

(D) knowledge model

Correct Ans: (C)

Explanation:

Leon Festinger advanced the idea of cognitive dissonance, which is the psychological discomfort a person experiences when holding conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values. According to this theory, individuals strive for internal consistency. When inconsistency arises, they feel tension and are motivated to reduce it.

For example, if a person values healthy eating but regularly consumes junk food, they experience cognitive dissonance. To reduce discomfort, they may change their eating habits, justify their behavior (e.g., “I deserve a treat”), or downplay the health risks.

Festinger’s theory explains how individuals seek consistency between their thoughts, beliefs, and actions. People often modify their beliefs to align with their behaviors to alleviate this internal conflict.

Cognitive dissonance has profound implications for decision-making, attitude change, and behavior modification, influencing fields like marketing, politics, and social behavior. By understanding this theory, we gain insight into how people resolve contradictions in their lives.