What is Cognitive Dissonance?

Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

July 13, 2020

Question

What is Cognitive Dissonance?

Answer

Cognitive dissonance is when we feel a certain way about ourselves but then do something that opposes that belief. We may not be able to identify it in the moment, but it still makes us feel anxious, guilty, and shameful. We may want to react by hiding, rationalizing our choices, avoiding evidence that we were in the wrong, and refraining from being in situations that make us feel worse. If you have experienced this, especially when dealing with a professional challenge, that is cognitive dissonance. We often try to justify the situation by saying, "I deserved this," or, "That person took it the wrong way."

This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, Avoiding Professional Potholes: Everyday Ethical Social Work Practice, presented by Michelle Gricus, DSW, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C.

Related Courses

Avoiding Professional Potholes: Everyday Ethical Social Work Practice

Presented by Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Presenter

Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Course: #58Level: Intermediate1 Hour

'Engaging speaker who made the material relatable with the driving analogy' Read Reviews

View CE/CEU Offered

This course identifies common social work “potholes” and how they relate to ethical dilemmas. The course also introduces the personal and professional factors involved in ethical decision-making.

Course Details

Professional Boundaries: An “I” Examination

Presented by Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Presenter

Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Course: #1773Level: Intermediate1.02 Hours

'Helpful, nuanced discussion around how to have permeable boundaries' Read Reviews

View CE/CEU Offered

The “friendly visitor” of social work’s early history introduced a level of professional distance to social worker-client relationships that many practitioners maintain today. This webinar explores why negotiating and creating healthy professional boundaries in our work is essential and what is missed when we stress risk management over compassion in these relationships.

Course Details

Social Work Supervision: One Size Doesn't Fit All

Presented by Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Presenter

Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Course: #1142Level: Advanced1 Hour

'Well explained, probably the best continued class I’ve taken so far' Read Reviews

View CE/CEU Offered

Great social workers are often expected to be great supervisors; however, supervision has its own skill set that needs to be learned and practiced. Through exercises and examples, this course explores some of the complexities in managerial and clinical supervision roles.

Course Details

Identifying Clinical Biases

Presented by Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Presenter

Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Course: #1490Level: Advanced1 Hour

'Cognitive bias' Read Reviews

View CE/CEU Offered

In order to effectively work with clients, social work practitioners must be aware of their own biases. This course explores clinical biases and effective ways to improve decision-making and ultimately reduce bias.

Course Details

Involuntary Hospitalization: Ethical Considerations for Social Workers

Presented by Jennifer Robertson, MSW, LCSW, RSW

Presenter

Jennifer Robertson, MSW, LCSW, RSW

Course: #1539Level: Intermediate1.02 Hours

'It was valuable to learn that different states have different laws about involuntary holds' Read Reviews

View CE/CEU Offered

Social workers are on the front lines of psychiatric emergencies and need to be prepared to make ethical decisions. This course discusses the impact, ethics, and the role social workers play in involuntary hospitalizations and in protecting vulnerable populations.

Course Details