What concept describes the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting thoughts?

Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort that arises when an individual holds two or more conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes at the same time. This discomfort often leads to an internal struggle as the person attempts to reconcile these inconsistencies. For example, if someone values health but frequently consumes junk food, they may experience cognitive dissonance due to the conflict between their actions and their beliefs.

To alleviate this discomfort, individuals often change their attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors. This could involve justifying their behavior, minimizing the conflict, or even altering their beliefs to bring their thoughts in alignment. Thus, cognitive dissonance is a fundamental concept in social psychology that helps to explain how people strive for internal consistency in their beliefs and behaviors.