The Search for Emotional Balance in Terrorists, Followers and Voters - What Cognitive Dissonance Theory Says

Abstract

Cognitive dissonance is a state of psychological discomfort that occurs when a person has two or more inconsistent cognitions (pieces of information). The disturbing psychology of cognitive dissonance applies to every important, irreversible and freely made decision made by the individual in the routine course of life. Because making a decision requires choosing between alternatives and accepting the positive sides of the other alternative that is not chosen and the negative sides of the chosen alternative. So is being a member of a cult or congregation. In this study, Cognitive Dissonance Theory, which we use to eliminate the tension created by the "what if" question that arises after all our decisions, and which sheds light on the conscious or unconscious processes that serve to rationalize our decision, in this study, after being a member of a community-terrorist organization, emotional dissonance, which is an absolute necessity, is discussed. used to explain how the balance is built.