The theory of cognitive dissonance proposes that people have a motivational drive to reduce dissonance by changing their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors, or by justifying or rationalizing their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Noticing the contradiction would lead to dissonance, which could be experienced as anxiety, guilt, shame, anger, embarrassment, stress, and other negative emotional states. (abbreviated from Wikipedia)
In other words; When you find yourself acting in a way that is discordant with your beliefs, you could experience mental distress... as a coping mechanism the brain is hard wired to rationalize the differences and make you believe that there is no contradiction.
Cognitive Dissonance sez; "It's summer"
It is easier to change your mind than it is to change your actions... I am convinced this is why there is anybody out there trying to discredit the scientists who publish reams and reams of research about how the planet is changing...
Cognative dissonance sez; "it's just a warm decade, I'm sure Minnesota wanted a warmer winter anyway"
Instead of having these thoughts we listen to other opinions...
... climate change is part of the natural cycle...
... volcanoes create more greenhouse gasses than humans...
... volcanoes create more greenhouse gasses than humans...
... it's all a crock...
... God made the Earth for us to use up and that's what we're doing until the Apocalypse...
... God made the Earth for us to use up and that's what we're doing until the Apocalypse...
Cognitive dissonance sez; "Antarctica's so far away it doesn't matter"
All this denial in an attempt to alleviate the stress that acknowledging that we contribute to the problem is stopping us from finding solutions.
I believe that humans have the potential to move past our chemistry.
I believe that if we can solve these problems that we should...
I believe that no matter what you think the Cause of the change in the climate is that everyone should care about its truth and the health of the planet.
Coming up this December is the Climate Change conference in Copenhagen. World leaders will be convening to discuss how each nation will contribute to the solution. Click HERE to see their informative website, and click HERE to encourage your leaders to participate... this is important, it affects everyone believers and non-believers alike. Don't let your brain's defense mechanisms stop you from giving it a try.
1 comment:
Yes! If everyone did something in the right direction at least it would make us feel better, and who knows, it might even make a difference. There may be nothing we could do, but maybe the pint of used oil recycled instead of dumped into the storm drain could tip the balance in favor of the world. Perhaps one can of paint in a dumpster instead of recycled could doom us all. Maybe not.
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