🧠 Cognitive Dissonance – UPSC Ethics (GS4) 📍 Factors Influencing Dissonance ✅ Belief Value: Stronger beliefs → stronger dissonance ✅ Inconsistency Level: Larger gap between belief and behavior → more discomfort 📍 Dealing with Dissonance ✅ Change Behavior/Beliefs: Align one with the other (e.g., quit smoking) ✅ Seek Justification: Use data to validate actions ✅ Minimize Importance: Downplay the inconsistency ✅ Self-Consolation: Focus on past good actions ✅ Rationalise: Justify the contradiction ✅ Seek Info: Look for counterbalancing data 📍 Example An eco-conscious person justifies frequent air travel by seeking carbon offset data or rationalizing career needs.