A feeling of uncertainty that occurs when a person believes two equally attractive but opposite ideas, cognitive dissonance.
In social psychology, the term “cognitive dissonance” is used to describe a state that occurs when an individual has minimal awareness of any discord, disagreement, or conflict within themselves. This state arises when a person holds conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values, leading to psychological discomfort and an internal struggle to reconcile or rationalize the inconsistencies. To reduce cognitive dissonance, individuals may change their beliefs, modify their attitudes, or seek information that aligns with their existing beliefs.