Justification

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Pages: 2

Justification occurs when an individual convinced himself and others that his behavior is logical, and to further support his deeds, justifies his own action, beliefs and feelings. Similarly, cognitive dissonance takes place when a person’s mind tries to hold two conflicting ideas simultaneously such as ideas, attitudes, beliefs, opinions. Just as justification proves its logic through rationalization, cognitive dissonance acts in a related manner through the use of conflicting cognitions that are psychologically inconsistent. (Aronson, p.178, 180)

The cognitive dissonance that Ash Donaldson experienced as a trainee pilot could have cost his life. In spite of the instructions given by the flight instructor, Ash strived to be right by internalizing what appears to be correct based on his belief that he is as good as any experienced pilot. Instead of heeding the advice of an expert, the cognitive dissonance takes over Ash by rationalizing his behavior with knowledge (goodness and intelligence) that is part of a self concept. (Aronson, p. 182)

Described as a
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(Aronson, p. 206) In the process, the change of attitude in Ash occurred by convincing himself that his previous attitude were incorrect. (Aronson, p. 207) Referred to as internal justification which is a process of finding external justification for his behavior, that is taking his instructor’s advice to trust the plane’s instruments instead of relying on his intuitions. As stated by Aronson, “if an individual states a belief that is difficult to justify externally, that person will attempt to justify it internally by making his attitude more consistent with the statement.” (Aronson, p.