Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

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Cognitive dissonance theory suggests that discord occurs when...

one experiences alignment of thoughts and behaviors
an individual embraces contradictions
there are contradictory thoughts within an established behavior pattern
thoughts and feelings are in agreement

The correct answer is: there are contradictory thoughts within an established behavior pattern

Cognitive dissonance theory posits that discomfort arises when there are contradictory thoughts or beliefs that conflict with an established behavior pattern. This theory, developed by Leon Festinger, illustrates how individuals strive for internal consistency. When a person's beliefs or attitudes do not align with their actions, it creates psychological tension or dissonance. For instance, if someone values health but continues to smoke, the contradiction between the action (smoking) and the belief (valuing health) results in cognitive dissonance. To alleviate this discomfort, individuals may change one of the conflicting beliefs, adjust their behavior, or rationalize the discrepancy. The other options do not accurately capture the essence of cognitive dissonance. Experiencing alignment of thoughts and behaviors, embracing contradictions, or having thoughts and feelings in agreement would not lead to dissonance, as they suggest harmony or consistency rather than conflict.