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Cognitive dissonance and the perception of natural environments
Emily Balcetis1, David Dunning
1Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA. balcetis@ohio.edu
Psychological Science
|September 27, 2007
Summary
Resolving cognitive dissonance influences how we perceive our surroundings. When given a choice, people perceived challenging tasks and environments as less difficult, impacting visual perception.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Environmental Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive dissonance theory explains the mental discomfort from holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes.
- Motivational states are known to influence social judgment and decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the motivation to resolve cognitive dissonance affects the visual perception of physical environments.
- To determine if choice influences the perception of environmental difficulty.
Main Methods:
- Two studies were conducted involving participants performing tasks under high-choice, low-choice, or control conditions.
- Study 1: Participants crossed a campus quadrangle in a distinctive costume.
- Study 2: Participants pushed themselves up a hill while kneeling on a skateboard.
Main Results:
- Participants in high-choice conditions perceived the environments as less aversive.
- This included perceiving a shorter distance to travel in Study 1.
- Participants also perceived a shallower slope to climb in Study 2.
Conclusions:
- The motivation to reduce cognitive dissonance can alter perceptual processes.
- Motivational states significantly impact how individuals perceive and interact with their physical environment.
- Findings suggest a deeper connection between motivation, dissonance resolution, and sensory perception.
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