Cognitive Dissonance Theory
Cognitive Dissonance, atau dalam Bahasa Melayu bermaksud "Percanggahan Kognitif," adalah satu situasi yang melibatkan konflik dalam sikap, kepercayaan, atau tingkah laku. Ia menyebabkan kegusaran dan membawa kepada perubahan pada salah satu sikap, kepercayaan, atau tingkah laku untuk mengurangkan kegusaran dan mengembalikan kestabilan.
Menurut Festinger, teori percanggahan kognitif mencadangkan bahawa kita mempunyai pemikiran dalaman untuk memegang sikap dan kepercayaan dalam harmoni dan mengelakkan percanggahan.
Let me give you an example of cognitive dissonance,
You consume fast food (behavior) and you know that it is unhealthy diet (belief/cognitive).
Somehow, you know that your behavior and belief do not match and thus it leads you to align it. So you start to change either:
1. You do not consume fast food anymore because you know that it is unhealthy diet.
2. You still consume fast food but you convince yourself that it is not really bad diet for you.
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Well then, let's relate it to our main point of being a Muslim.
A perfect Muslim would have 10 characteristics in him/herself and that it is called "Muwasafat Tarbiyah"
The 10 Muwasafat Tarbiyah are:
So, following these characteristics, we, as Muslims, have a proper guideline on how to behave accordingly. If we disregard any one of these, we might feel as though something is not right.
Let me give you an example:
As a Muslim, we should have good moral (Matinul Khuluq), and thus, we should respect ourselves, respect the elders, as well as being polite.
Nevertheless, if we do not have good moral, like being rude to others or do not show any respect to people, later on, when reflecting ourselves, we would feel like it was wrong to act in this negative way. (feeling anxious of the consequences of our actions/people would not like us/our self-esteem goes down.)
Therefore, when we feel this way, our inner selves would demand us to do the right thing, to behave right, following the characteristics of good Muslims.
Festinger's (1957) cognitive dissonance theory suggests that we have an inner drive to hold all our attitudes and beliefs in harmony and avoid disharmony (or dissonance).
Menurut Festinger, teori percanggahan kognitif mencadangkan bahawa kita mempunyai pemikiran dalaman untuk memegang sikap dan kepercayaan dalam harmoni dan mengelakkan percanggahan.
Let me give you an example of cognitive dissonance,
You consume fast food (behavior) and you know that it is unhealthy diet (belief/cognitive).
Somehow, you know that your behavior and belief do not match and thus it leads you to align it. So you start to change either:
1. You do not consume fast food anymore because you know that it is unhealthy diet.
2. You still consume fast food but you convince yourself that it is not really bad diet for you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well then, let's relate it to our main point of being a Muslim.
A perfect Muslim would have 10 characteristics in him/herself and that it is called "Muwasafat Tarbiyah"
The 10 Muwasafat Tarbiyah are:
1. Prosperous beliefs (Salimul Aqidah)
2. Authentic worship (Shahihul Ibadah)
3. Good Moral (Matinul Khuluq)
4. Able to be independent (Qadirun ala'l Kasbi)
5. Knowledgeable (Mutsaqqafal Fikri)
6. Vibrant Body (Qawiyyul Jism)
7. Self-control (Mujahadatul li Nafsi)
8. Well-organized (Munazhzhamun fi Syuunihi)
9. Appreciate the time (Harishun ala Waqtihi)
10. Useful to others (Nafi'un li Ghairihi)
So, following these characteristics, we, as Muslims, have a proper guideline on how to behave accordingly. If we disregard any one of these, we might feel as though something is not right.
Let me give you an example:
As a Muslim, we should have good moral (Matinul Khuluq), and thus, we should respect ourselves, respect the elders, as well as being polite.
Nevertheless, if we do not have good moral, like being rude to others or do not show any respect to people, later on, when reflecting ourselves, we would feel like it was wrong to act in this negative way. (feeling anxious of the consequences of our actions/people would not like us/our self-esteem goes down.)
Therefore, when we feel this way, our inner selves would demand us to do the right thing, to behave right, following the characteristics of good Muslims.
Hence, let us all behave accordingly following the proper guideline. Not only that we would initiate peace within ourselves, but also we would fit as good Muslims and thus lead us to be perfect Muslims =)
