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What is Cognitive Dissonance?

Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

July 13, 2020

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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.

michelle gricus

Michelle Gricus, DSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

Dr. Michelle Gricus is a licensed clinical social worker. She completed her Bachelor of Social Work at the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota, her Master of Social Work at the University of Houston in Texas, and she earned a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) at St. Catherine University/University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. Dr. Gricus is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, where she teaches courses across the social work curriculum. In addition, she has taught and trained new and experienced human service providers and is passionate about preparing professionals to provide ethical, person-centered, and culturally sensitive practice. Dr. Gricus’ research interests center around professional behavior, practice violations, and professional regulation. 

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