Cognitive Dissonance Reduction: Psychological Background, Neuroscientific Insights and its Role in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Cognitive dissonance reduction is a psychological mechanism that has been studied extensively since the 1950s. Knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying it is taking shape, but these brain systems are not yet fully understood. The current review integrates knowledge from psychology and neuroscience in order to better understand cognitive dissonance reduction. It offers a cognitive dissonance perspective on posttraumatic stress disorder and the effect of prolonged exposure therapy. Building on these insights, further investigation could help to properly assign different types of PTSD treatment to different people.