What Role Does Cognitive Dissonance Play in Resistance to Change?
Cognitive dissonance causes people to discount evidence that conflicts with their deeply held self-beliefs and choices. It helps them “stay the course” under stress, but also keeps them from revising harmful behaviors when reality shifts.
Metaphor
Resisting change is like clinging to a sinking ship because you built it yourself. Pride keeps you bailing faster instead of admitting it’s going under.
Cognitive dissonance makes us defend our past choices, even when survival requires letting them sink.
Works Consulted
In addition to any sources cited above, the following works informed my thinking: (1)
1.
Goldsmith M. What Got You Here Won’t Get You There [Internet]. Profile Books; 2013. Available from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84525.What_Got_You_Here_Won_t_Get_You_There