Cognitive Dissonance

I read a very interesting article on this subject. Unfortunately, most people have no idea that this technique is deliberately used against them and it may account for the earlier BBC report as to why people vote against their own best interests. It takes a logical mind to fight the deliberate misinformation, and logic is no longer taught or encouraged. Circular thinking seems to be all the rage - it allows for justification of whatever action a person may take. If you saw the testimony last week of Tony Blair and his justification to embark on the Iraq war the following may just open your eyes as to the nonsensical claptrap he trotted out for a few hours. I urge the chairman of the Inquiry to review the following:

"Human beings often are presented with opposing thoughts , but our brains have developed a way of resolving these conflicts through a process call cognitive dissonance.
We are taught, that killing is prohibited -- but what about war? And many anti-abortionists support the death penalty... conflicting behavior is all around us. So how exactly does that work? Simply put, congitive dissonance theory states that when you have two opposing ideas (or ideologies) at the same time, you will act upon the one that causes the least pain to your ego.
A classic example of the use of Cognitive dissonance was the Bernie Madoff scandal. He bilked hundreds of wealthy people out of an estimated 50-billion dollars by manipulating the same mental process.
So how is it that people are able to convince others to give them access to their funds or to willingly follow them to war? Here is the gypsy lady example which I am sure many folk have experienced.

You're walking down a busy street deep in your own private thoughts. All of a sudden a smiling woman jumps out of nowhere, stands in front of you, and puts a flower in your hand. "Hello dear... isn't it a wonderful day today? I want you to have this flower!," she says.
Now you have a beautiful flower in your hand. It's a nice gift and she seems friendly. She begins to walk with you, telling you that you have nice, kind eyes. She says she noticed right away that you were special and so wanted to meet you. You forget your previous thoughts about work, bills or your own life. Suddenly you feel good... appreciated... uplifted. Then, in the same friendly voice and bright smile, she says, "I know you are a good person and you can help me by giving me a something for the beautiful flower -- right?"

What happens inside your head at that moment is cognitive dissonance.
The dissonance or dis-harmony comes from two conflicting ideas or decision paths. One path tells you that you should just say "No thanks!" and keep on walking; maybe return the flower and feel insulted even if it means she will become disappointed with you. The other path tells you that she has made you feel good and has earned your friendship and a couple of bucks. She has been friendly and you don't want to ruin the brief relationship you have formed. Heck, you should probably even give her back the flower so she can use it on the next victim. Which decision will cause the least damage to your ego?

In cognitive dissonance theory the outcome of these opposing thought paths will be the one that requires the least emotional stress. Most victims will pay up rather than feel they are being cruel or disrespectful to someone who has made them feel so good.

Psychologists refer to this vulnerability as the "willful suspension of disbelief," where one can easily see the potential manipulations and evil motives of their perpetrator, but, because they have already made some prior commitment to go along with this, it is easier to continue than to back out.

The investors of Mr. Madoff knew that a 10% to 12% annual return on an investment, especially in the bear market, was impossible. Something dishonest or illegal had to be going on. But because they had been made to work so hard to let him take their money -- often begging him to please allow them to invest millions of dollars -- they had made the psychological investment that "locks in" the cognitive dissonance. After that, it was more stressful to admit that this was a ponzy scheme than to just avoid worrying about it.
In for a dime, in for a dollar
Cognitive dissonance has been shown as an excellent tool to control larger groups and populations also. In World War II there was a famous campaign where citizens were asked to donate all their old pots and pans, supposedly to be melted down to make tanks, munitions and war planes. The collection was highly effective and the psychological "investment" initiated solidarity and nationalism for the war effort. Of course, all those pots and pans ended up buried in landfills. "

And if you think it is not being used today what about the appeal that went out when the US invaded Afghanistan, ex-President Bush came on the television asking families to donate whatever they could to help the school children in Afghanistan who needed paper and pencils. Thousands of school kids collected coins in classrooms across the US and sent the donations to the White House. The funds ended up being put in to some vague account that never did what it was donated to do. But the "investment" was enough to gain support for a far-away war in an obscure land for vague reasons.