Question

• is cognitive dissonance ever good for an organization? For an individual?

Answer 1

Cognitive Dissonance the sensation of discomfort when keeping two or more opposing cognitions simultaneously: thoughts, opinions, values or emotional reactions. People can often feel "unbalanced" in a state of dissonance: annoyance, hunger, fear, shame, rage, humiliation, anxiety, etc

Cognitive cognitive dissonance is normal and a significant cause of stress for professionals employed in roles of organizational support, such as risk management and human resources. In such roles, people are often subjected to activities that are in direct contrast with their sense of right and wrong, training, ethics, or personal beliefs, or are compelled to accept, help, and execute. Fundamental importance of this internal collection of values must be stressed, as in most cases these are key reasons that are responsible for choosing certain professions as a career path.

There are several examples and situations that may trigger cognitive dissonance in support roles, ranging from witnessing unacceptable and ineffective leadership behaviors to being asked to perform activities that do not adhere to policies, expectations, training, organizational or personal values. For example, an HR manager who is asked to fire an employee for wrongdoing without sufficient evidence or with proof to the contrary may experience severe cognitive dissonance On the one hand, his internal beliefs, sense of right and wrong and experience of long-term organizational harm would be put directly against senior decision-maker 's perceptions and possible negative effects on his career. It is a fine balancing act and seeing high levels of stress as a by-product of those decisions is not shocking.