Editing Cognitive dissonance (section)

=== Related phenomena ===
Cognitive dissonance may also occur when people seek to explain or justify their beliefs, often without questioning the validity of their claims. After the [[1934 Nepal–India earthquake|earthquake of 1934, Bihar, India]], irrational rumors based upon fear quickly reached the adjoining communities unaffected by the disaster because those people, although not in physical danger, psychologically justified their anxieties about the earthquake.<ref name="Prasad1950">{{cite journal | vauthors = Prasad J | year = 1950 | title = A Comparative Study of Rumours and Reports in Earthquakes | doi = 10.1111/j.2044-8295.1950.tb00271.x | journal = British Journal of Psychology | volume = 41 | issue = 3–4| pages = 129–144 }}</ref> The same pattern can be observed when one's convictions are met with a contradictory order. In a study conducted among 6th grade students, after being induced to cheat in an academic examination, students judged cheating less harshly.<ref name="Mills1958">{{cite journal| vauthors = Mills J |year=1958 |title=Changes in Moral Attitudes Following Temptation |journal=Journal of Personality |volume=26 |issue=4 |pages=517–531 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-6494.1958.tb02349.x }}</ref> Nonetheless, the [[confirmation bias]] identifies how people readily read information that confirms their established opinions and readily avoid reading information that contradicts their opinions.<ref name="HartEtAl_FeelingValidatedVersusBeingCorrect">{{cite journal | vauthors = Hart W, Albarracín D, Eagly AH, Brechan I, Lindberg MJ, Merrill L | title = Feeling validated versus being correct: a meta-analysis of selective exposure to information | journal = Psychological Bulletin | volume = 135 | issue = 4 | pages = 555–588 | date = July 2009 | pmid = 19586162 | pmc = 4797953 | doi = 10.1037/a0015701 }}</ref> The confirmation bias is apparent when a person confronts deeply held political beliefs, i.e. when a person is greatly committed to their beliefs, values, and ideas.<ref name="HartEtAl_FeelingValidatedVersusBeingCorrect" />

If a contradiction occurs between how a person feels and how a person acts, one's perceptions and emotions align to alleviate stress. The [[Ben Franklin effect]] refers to that statesman's observation that the act of performing a favor for a rival leads to increased positive feelings toward that individual. It is also possible that one's emotions be altered to minimize the regret of irrevocable choices. At a [[hippodrome]], bettors had more confidence in their horses after the betting than before.<ref name="Knox&Inkster1968">{{cite journal | vauthors = Knox RE, Inkster JA | title = Postdecision dissonance at post time | journal = Journal of Personality and Social Psychology | volume = 8 | issue = 4 | pages = 319–323 | date = April 1968 | pmid = 5645589 | doi = 10.1037/h0025528 }}</ref>