Cognitive Dissonance: Progress on a Pivotal Theory in Social Psychology (Science Conference Series) [Hardcover]

Eddie Harmon-Jones (Editor), Judson Mills (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1999 | Series: Science Conference Series

Tell any smoker that his habit is unhealthy, and he most likely will agree. What mental process does a person go through when he or she continues to do something unhealthy? When an honest person tells a "white lie," what happens to his or her sense of integrity? If someone must choose between two equally attractive options, why does one's value judgement of the options change after the choice has been made? In 1954 Dr. Leon Festinger drafted a version of a theory describing the psychological phenomenon that occurs in these situations. He called it cognitive dissonance: the feeling of psychological discomfort produced by the combined presence of two thoughts that do not follow from one another. Festinger proposed that the greater the discomfort, the greater the desire to reduce the dissonance of the two cognitive elements. The elegance of this theory has inspired psychologists over the past four decades. Cognitive Dissonance: Perspectives on a Pivotal Theory in Social Psychology documents the on-going research and debate provoked by this influential theory.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 411 pages
• Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA); 1 edition (January 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557985650
• ISBN-13: 978-1557985651
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,040 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have, July 27, 2008

By 

LF "LF" (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cognitive Dissonance: Progress on a Pivotal Theory in Social Psychology (Science Conference Series) (Hardcover)

Harmon-Jones & Mills thoroughly take the reader from the beginning of CDT through those major revisions that have received empirical support all the way to today. The sampling of authors is wonderful and Harmon-Jones doesn't push his revision and instead he & Mills fairly offer all of the relevant alternatives. Importantly, Mills is particularly respectful to Festinger which is often missing in much of the newer writing. Get this one- it's a steal & you'll find all that you need re CDT within! My dissertation is on CDT and this is one source that I continually return to.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Cognitive Dissonance: Progress on a Pivotal Theory, December 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Cognitive Dissonance: Progress on a Pivotal Theory in Social Psychology (Science Conference Series) (Hardcover)

The book provides the most up-to-date consideration of Leon Festinger's Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957). It contains chapters written by an international group of well-established scientists who study cognitive dissonance processes. It is a must read for anyone interested in the relationship between cognition, emotion, attitudes, and behavior.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quality book, at an advanced level, June 9, 2011

By 

jason - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cognitive Dissonance: Progress on a Pivotal Theory in Social Psychology (Science Conference Series) (Hardcover)

This book goes into the mechanics of cognitive dissonance, and offers multiple studies varying aspects of the issue. A very good read for any researcher looking to understand the psychology of motivation. Well written and logical.