Cognitive dissonance – IB Psychology Study Notes

Comprehensive IB Psychology study notes on Cognitive dissonance. Covers key theories, research studies, and evaluation points for the 2027 syllabus.

Mark Scheme SECTION A MARK SCHEME 4 marks Must Include: • Festinger's motivational state of discomfort • Inconsistency between behaviour and belief causes dissonance • Three resolution strategies: behaviour change, attitude change, rationalization • Consonance: harmony between behaviour and belief • Specific example e.g. smoker rationalizing • Mechanism: discomfort motivates resolution • Show which strategy was chosen in the example Link Formula: "The behaviour-belief conflict creates cognitive ...