festinger

Leon Festinger (1919–1989) was an American social psychologist renowned for developing cognitive dissonance theory and for his work on social comparison processes. His research helped establish key mechanisms of attitude change, decision making, and social influence in modern psychology.

Cognitive dissonance theory: In 1957 Festinger and James M. Carlsmith proposed that people experience psychological discomfort when holding two or more contradictory cognitions, attitudes, or behaviors. To reduce dissonance, individuals may change their beliefs, justify their actions, or seek new information. The theory has been widely applied to understanding how people rationalize choices, justify inconsistencies, and respond to incentive structures, including the classic experiments on minimal justification effects.

Social comparison theory: In 1954 Festinger proposed that individuals evaluate their own opinions and abilities by comparing themselves with others, especially in situations of uncertainty. The theory distinguishes upward and downward comparisons and has influenced research on self-evaluation, motivation, and social influence within groups and organizations.

When Prophecy Fails: Festinger, together with Henry Riecken and Stanley Schachter, studied a doomsday cult whose members predicted the world would end. After the prophecy failed, the group maintained their beliefs and altered their interpretations, illustrating cognitive dissonance reduction and the stubborn persistence of belief under social pressure. The work highlighted how groups rationalize events to preserve self-concept and commitment.

Legacy: Festinger’s work significantly shaped the fields of attitude formation, persuasion, and group dynamics, shaping subsequent research on conformity, information processing, and the psychology of everyday judgment and decision making.