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Can you think of an example from your own life of a time when acting a certain way changed your attitudes/thoughts? Explain why you think that happened based on what you learned this week. +1000 words include references
One example from my own life of a time when acting a certain way changed my attitudes and thoughts was during my freshman year in college. My first semester of college I made the mistake of not getting involved in any clubs or activities, which left me feeling very isolated and alone on campus. I also found myself focusing too much on my studies and not leaving enough time for self-care or enjoyment, so I felt like I was constantly under pressure to succeed academically without taking care of myself mentally or physically. This led to me feeling unmotivated and uninterested in school work, which caused my grades to dip significantly that first semester.
However, once the second semester started, I decided to make an effort to get more involved on campus. Specifically, I joined an organization that focused on giving back to the local community by volunteering at soup kitchens every week and helping out with other events throughout the community. Not only did this help me build relationships with people outside of school, but it also gave me a sense of purpose outside of just studying for classes all day long. Additionally, joining this group helped me contribute positively towards something bigger than myself which ultimately boosted both my motivation levels as well as my interests in academics again—as seen through improved grades during that second semester compared with the first one.
Based upon what we’ve learned this week regarding cognitive dissonance theory (Festinger 1957), this situation is an ideal example because it illustrates how changing our behavior can change our attitudes as well (Cherry 2016). By forcing myself to become active within the volunteer organization instead of staying cooped up inside all day working independently on assignments (which was what had happened during the previous semester) allowed me see how different actions could result in different outcomes; namely increasing both productivity and satisfaction levels due to having obtained those positive experiences from being part of something larger than just oneself (Ferguson 2002). Furthermore, according to some research completed by Festinger et al., individuals tend adopt behaviors if they are fully aware that those behaviors would benefit their current situations—such as when improving academic performance due better time management skills achieved by having joined a club—and conform themselves accordingly rather than stay stuck in psychological states where nothing ever changes (Festinger 1957).
In conclusion, acting differently can indeed lead us into thinking differently about ourselves depending upon our current contexts; such has been demonstrated through examining changes resulting from becoming involved in volunteer activities while attending university during one specific instance from my own life experience thus far. Having been familiar with Festinger’s cognitive dissonance theory priory helps explain why these changes occurred due actions taken influencing new perspectives gained afterwards over time via awareness concerning potential benefits acquired associated with altering personal behaviors along certain paths that may otherwise have never been explored before if not done so beforehand without hesitation.
References:
Cherry K 2016 What Is Cognitive Dissonance Theory? Verywell Mind [online] Available at:https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-dissonance-theory2795289[Accessed 7 April 2021].
Ferguson M 2002 The role of cognition: Motivation versus emotion Contemporary Social Science[online] 1(2):171–184 DOI 10 21 005 1468 039X2002004 Availableat:[Accessed7April2021].
Festinger L 1957 A theory of cognitive dissonance Stanford University Press Stanford California