What is a possible outcome of experiencing cognitive dissonance?

Experiencing cognitive dissonance often leads individuals to encounter conflicting emotions or thoughts about their beliefs or actions. This inner conflict can create discomfort, prompting them to either change their beliefs, modify their behavior, or seek out new information to resolve the dissonance. The process of resolving these conflicting emotions can facilitate personal growth and encourage individuals to reassess their values and decisions. For example, someone who feels dissonance after realizing their behavior contradicts their values may choose to change their behavior in order to align more closely with their beliefs. This transformative aspect of cognitive dissonance underscores the important role it plays in shaping attitudes and encouraging change.