Is important to recognize the problem of cognitive
dissonance, because in the ufological and “paranormal
industry”we find intelligent individuals whose life becomes a permanent
contradiction between their real convictions and what public rhetoric.
Cognitive dissonance is an uncomfortable
feeling caused by holding two contradictory ideas simultaneously.
The "ideas" or "cognitions" in
question may include attitudes and beliefs, and also the awareness of one's
behavior. The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a
motivational drive to reduce dissonance by changing their attitudes, beliefs,
and behaviors, or by justifying or rationalizing their attitudes, beliefs, and
behaviors.
Cognitive Dissonance usually manifests when a person perceives a logical and perhaps an
ethical inconsistency among his or her cognitions.
Let’s imagine that someone is forced to do or say
publicly something they privately really don't want to do, dissonance is
created between their cognition (I didn't want to do this) and their behavior
(I did it). Forced compliance occurs when an individual performs an
action that is inconsistent with his or her beliefs.
Now, this cognitive dissonance will have also a great
impact on the social life of the individual affected.
Most probably she or he will became more and more isolated and loose self-esteem.
If the differences between real and proclaimed
convictions grow, the situation will eventually become critical.
It is probable that individuals forced to remain in such
a cognitive dissonance will “lose their minds.”
Even Insanity is possible for some border line
personalities.
I think those cognitive dissonance crises are worse when
the inconsistencies and contradictions include ethics.
In addition, cognitive dissonance is particularly
critical when the affected individuals live in a familiar context that makes these
contradictions more and more obvious.
