What does the term "cognitive dissonance" refer to?

Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort that arises when an individual holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes simultaneously. This discomfort often compels people to find a way to resolve the inconsistency, which can lead to changes in beliefs or behaviors to restore harmony.

For instance, if someone values health but smokes cigarettes, they may experience cognitive dissonance because their actions (smoking) conflict with their beliefs (valuing health). To alleviate this dissonance, they might choose to quit smoking, change their beliefs about the health risks of smoking, or rationalize their behavior in some way.

The other concepts, such as stable reinforcement of behavior, methods for alleviating anxiety, and principles of group dynamics, do not accurately capture the essence of cognitive dissonance and its focus on the internal conflict and mental struggle that arises from holding opposing beliefs.