Dissonance - what is it? The theory of cognitive dissonance, as well as the manifestation of dissonance in music and emotions

In this article in detail we will consider such concept as dissonance. What it is? In what areas is it used?

Terminology

The word comes from the Latin dissonantia, which literally can be translated as "cacophonous sound". Dissonance - what is this term? What is its content? This term is actively used in various spheres. For example, it is often used in art, psychology, philosophy. Does the word dissonance have a synonym? There are several concepts with a similar meaning. Here are the most common of them: inconsistency, disagreement, contradiction, disharmony, cacophony (the latter is synonymous with the theory of music). In fact, this is a violation of harmony, a kind of discomfort caused by the inconsistency of already existing knowledge and ideas with other new facts. Dissonance - what is it, for example, In the theory of art? Let us turn to the scientific interpretation. According to the encyclopedia, dissonance in music is a bizarre sound. In this case, simultaneously sounding tones do not merge with each other.

Opposite concepts

Consonance (from the Latin consonantia - euphony) - this is a completely polar dissonance definition. But together they characterize the relationship between two pairs of "elements". By them, these components, in fact, are knowledge. Some "elements" are knowledge about their "I". Others are information concerning the general problems of the world order. The term "knowledge" was often used in the broad sense of the word, including in itself, in fact, information, also opinions, as well as beliefs, attitudes and values. Despite the fact that there are quite significant differences between these phenomena, they can be considered "elements of knowledge". And it is between their pairs that dissonance and consonance can exist.

Types of relations

In the event that cognitive elements do not meet anywhere, do not intersect with one another, and have nothing in common with each other, such elements should be called irrelevant. For us, only those elements are interesting, between which the consonance and dissonance relations can arise and arise. The theory of cognitive dissonance was formulated in the middle of the twentieth century by Leon Festinger. According to her, two separately located elements will be in dissonance one with respect to the other in the event that the negation of one of them is derived from the other. One can give here an example: a person is sure that he is surrounded exclusively by his friends, but still feels uncomfortable and apprehensive in this situation. That is, there is a dissonant relationship. Or one more example: a person who climbed into serious debts, suddenly decides to go on an expensive round-the-world trip. Here, too, two cognitive elements will be discordant among themselves. The "discord" between the two elements of knowledge can appear as a consequence of a number of different causes. It can be the person's desires and expectations, acquired life experience or other factors. We will discuss them in detail later.

Causes of cognitive dissonance

The question "dissonance - what it is" has already been answered. Now, for the sake of completeness, it is worth investigating the causes and factors of its occurrence. First, it can arise from a logical inconsistency. For example, if a person is sure that he will build a sound house in a year, but he has no idea how to lay the foundation, then these two elements are dissonant. Secondly, the reason can be cultural traditions or customs. Suppose that a man is not inferior in a tram to an elderly grandmother, but he knows perfectly well that according to established rules of etiquette and moral standards he must do it. In this case, his knowledge of cultural norms and the realization of what he is doing wrong are dissonant relationships. Although in some other culture where it is not customary to give place to transport in the elderly, this situation, obviously, would not be an example of the relations under consideration. Third, dissonance arises when private opinion in a particular situation goes beyond a more generalized one. For example, a citizen who considers himself a radical, votes in elections for a candidate of liberal views. The cognitive elements on these two opinions will be dissonant. Finally, the state of cognitive dissonance may be due to previous experience. Imagine a man who several times in his life fell ill with acute angina after eating an ice cream. And now, again he eats it. But he hopes not to get sick again. This is a vivid example of cognitive dissonance based on past life experiences.

The degree of "inconsistency"

To determine the level of dissonance will help one obvious aspect. It consists in the objective characteristics of elements between which an "inappropriate" attitude is observed. Suppose that the two cognitive components in the knowledge system are dissonant relative to each other. Then the degree of "inconsistency" will be in direct proportion to the level of importance of these elements. If the components are very significant for a particular individual, then the dissonance index will be correspondingly high.

Examples

Let's imagine a man serving fifty rubles to a beggar in a subway. At the same time, this person realizes that the poor person does not really need this money. But still he gives money, and the dissonance that arises in this case between the two elements is not very strong. After all, neither the first nor the second element is so essential for this person. And the second, cardinally opposite example. The student, on the eve of an important exam for him, absolutely does not prepare for him. At the same time, he is well aware that the level of his knowledge of the subject will not allow him to pass this test. And in this case, the degree of dissonance for the student will be much higher, because both elements of knowledge are very important for the individual.

Are there systems that are free of dissonant relationships?

It can be assumed with a great deal of certainty that in our life objectively there is no such system that would be completely free from the presence of "inconsistency". After all, whatever action the individual is going to undertake, whatever feeling he feels, there will always be at least one insignificant cognitive element that will enter into a dissonant relationship with the "behavioral" component. Here is a simple example. It would seem that the ordinary and trivial belief in the necessity and usefulness of an evening walk before going to bed can have some cognitive elements that will act as dissonant with this knowledge. So, a person can think that at home, he is waiting for any business that he must finish. Or he will notice that it's raining outside and the like. In short, to any cognitive element in one system, there must necessarily be other elements relevant to it, so an undeniable fact is the presence, though to an insignificant degree, of dissonance.