What happens when a new idea or information contradicts your values or ideas? The mind feels the conflict and will resolve the issue by taking action until new ideas are consistent with the older ones. This lack of psychological agreement between two concepts is cognitive dissonance.
Consider an environmental activist who understands human-made. CO2 emissions and global warming when it comes to air travel. How will she react? She may do one or a mix of the following:
1) Reject air travel, at least where alternatives are available.
2) Change the belief in climate change that
2a) The whole theory is a scam
2b) Ignore as if nothing has happened
3) Get into a justification mindset that
3a) Others are also doing the same
3b) My travel is vital to justify a bit of emissions
3c) I did not cause the global warming in the first place
