Truth - Cognitive Dissonance

Cognitive dissonance is described as the mental disturbance people feel when they realize their cognitions and actions are inconsistent or contradictory. Cognitive dissonance can be viewed as a mental and spiritual struggle, a psychological state of discomfort that occurs when a person holds multiple conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values simultaneously. It can also happen when a person's actions are inconsistent with their beliefs. This internal conflict creates mental discomfort, leading people to avoid information that contradicts their current beliefs or way of being. 

Every imperfect soul experiences cognitive dissonance to some degree at some time or another. It appears we can’t entirely avoid cognitive dissonance because it is merely the discomfort we feel when our beliefs, perceptions, attitudes, or values contradict each other, not the response itself. What can be mitigated, though, is how we deal with our discomfort. 

It is important to first notice our own cognitive dissonance because it isn’t always easy to recognize. Here are some signs to help us evaluate what’s happening within our soul:

• Feeling uncomfortable or anxious. These feelings are often enhanced before doing something or making a decision.

• Trying to justify or rationalize a decision we've made, an action we have taken, or our manifested behavior.

• Feeling embarrassed or ashamed about something we've done and trying to hide our actions from other people.

• Experiencing guilt or regret about something we've done in the past.

• Doing things because of social pressure or a fear of missing out, even if it wasn't something we wanted to do.

• Doing actions or participating in anything against our internal and core conscience. 

• Avoiding new information, feedback, or perspectives.

• Playing on our selective memory.

• Downplaying the importance of the conflict.

• Feeling to hide, lie, mislead, deceive, or resist being transparent.

When presented with truth challenging our worldview, the discomfort of cognitive dissonance can be so intense that we would rather reject the truth than reconcile the conflicting ideas. This rejection often manifests in various ways such as discrediting the source of the information, questioning the motives behind the truth-teller, dismissing the facts as unimportant or irrelevant, or convincing ourselves that it doesn’t matter anyway, all is well, it’s just fine. (2 Nephi 12:4 RE) The mind’s instinct to protect itself from discomfort is powerful, and cognitive dissonance is one of the primary causes for discomfort. When we hold very strong core beliefs and are presented with evidence that witnesses against these beliefs, the new evidence can be difficult to accept. Since it is so important to protect the core belief, we rationalize, ignore, and even deny anything that doesn’t fit in with our core beliefs.

Perhaps, one of the most ridiculous things to reject is something we know little about, refusing to investigate and become further enlightened. Yet, this happens often. What keeps us from exercising sufficient faith and putting forth the required effort to search for truth? What prevents us from asking for it? Seeking it? Finding it? Why do we sometimes resist experimenting with valid evidence that is new to us? Why not practice the truth, live it, sacrifice for it, and fully embrace it? What is so appealing to us about choosing the wider path and using defense mechanisms to justify, ignore, avoid, deny, dismantle, or bury the evidence? Why do we want to hide the truth behind the curtain and out of sight at any given moment according to our own timing, preference, and pleasure? What are the pros and cons of finding and embracing the truth versus hiding and rejecting it? How can we deal with the conflicting information threatening the errors and fallacies we currently believe and/or act out?

Instead of resisting our natural tendency to rationalize our existing beliefs by rejecting and avoiding conflicting information, we can shift our mindset and approach the situation with curiosity. It is possible for those of us who experience conflict within ourselves, to change our beliefs and/or behaviors and be reconciled with truth. We can do this by being mindful of our values and pursuing opportunities to live those values. Everyone can overcome cognitive dissonance by being open to new truth, seeking, learning, acting, changing, and reconciling our actions and beliefs with truth while discarding actions and beliefs that create conflicting errors. However, that is easier said than done. The better, higher, and more narrow path is always more difficult to tread but is worth the effort. 

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that listens unto counsel is wise.” (Proverbs 2:78 RE)