TOEFL Speaking Task 3

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes, especially when these contradictions relate to their own behavior. This discomfort often motivates individuals to reduce the inconsistency by changing their beliefs, justifying their actions, or acquiring new information that supports their behavior. The theory, developed by Leon Festinger, suggests that people strive for internal consistency to maintain a positive self-image and reduce psychological tension.

Professor: So let me give you a classic example from a study. Imagine a student named Mark who strongly believes that cheating is wrong. One day, under pressure from a failing grade, he copies answers from a classmate during an exam. Afterward, Mark feels uneasy and guilty. To reduce this discomfort, he starts telling himself that the teacher’s exam was unfair and that everyone cheats sometimes. He even convinces himself that he had studied hard, so it wasn’t really cheating—just a small mistake. Over time, Mark’s belief about cheating becomes less strict, and he feels better about his action. This change in his attitude—from 'cheating is always wrong' to 'cheating is sometimes acceptable'—is exactly how cognitive dissonance works.