Cognitive Dissonance 101

The topic of vaccination is often deeply divisive. Strongly held opinions are held on both side of the procedure. Why does discussing published facts about problems associated with vaccines lead to explosives confrontations? The answer is found by understanding cognitive dissonance and self-justification. [1 Video, Length: 20 min, Downloadable Material, Access to Forum]

What you will learn:

• Why cognitive dissonance occurs and how to recognize the shift in yourself
• How most people respond when directly confronted with evidence that challenges a deeply held point of view
• The common behaviors a person will use to dismiss information that conflicts with their currently held beliefs about vaccines
• That same area of the brain generates an emotional response to threats, generates the feeling of cognitive dissonance
• What functional MRI confirmed about brain function when a person experiences cognitive dissonance
• Why self-justification is such a powerful tool for those who have no interested in changing their mind about vaccine dangers
• The pros and cons of self-justification
• Important responses that will break through to those who resist change by using self-justification