In the realm of psychology, the phenomenon of cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes. This discomfort often leads individuals to seek consistency by altering their attitudes or behaviors. Understanding cognitive dissonance is crucial for comprehending how people justify their choices and decisions in various situations.
Consider the following sentence regarding cognitive dissonance:
Many people, when confronted with evidence that contradicts their firmly held beliefs, will often exhibit __________ as a means to resolve the discomfort caused by the dissonance.