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The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith
Abstract
This article explores the role of cognitive dissonance in the process of religious conversion. Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person's beliefs, values, or actions do not match and cause discomfort (Festinger, 1957). This discomfort can lead to a change in beliefs or actions. The study examines many sources, including books, articles and research, to understand how cognitive dissonance affects religion. Key areas discussed include conflicts between religious teachings and life experiences, leadership failures, and the conflict between religion and science. The article also describes how some people strengthen their faith, while others abandon religion to reduce this discomfort. The results suggest that cognitive dissonance is important in understanding why people leave religion and how they adapt to new beliefs. Future research could learn more about the relationship between dissonance and personal, social and cultural factors.
Keywords
References
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- Braun, Virginia – Clarke, Victoria. “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology”. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3/2 (2006), 77-101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
- Festinger, Leon. A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1957.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Psychology of Religion
Journal Section
Review
Authors
Publication Date
December 15, 2025
Submission Date
June 4, 2025
Acceptance Date
December 4, 2025
Published in Issue
Year 2025 Volume: 5 Number: 3
APA
Tezcan, A. O., & Armagan Bogatekin, M. (2025). The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi, 5(3), 167-178. https://doi.org/10.62297/idrak.1714248
AMA
1.Tezcan AO, Armagan Bogatekin M. The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi. 2025;5(3):167-178. doi:10.62297/idrak.1714248
Chicago
Tezcan, Ali Osman, and Merve Armagan Bogatekin. 2025. “The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith”. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi 5 (3): 167-78. https://doi.org/10.62297/idrak.1714248.
EndNote
Tezcan AO, Armagan Bogatekin M (December 1, 2025) The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi 5 3 167–178.
IEEE
[1]A. O. Tezcan and M. Armagan Bogatekin, “The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith”, İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 167–178, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.62297/idrak.1714248.
ISNAD
Tezcan, Ali Osman - Armagan Bogatekin, Merve. “The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith”. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi 5/3 (December 1, 2025): 167-178. https://doi.org/10.62297/idrak.1714248.
JAMA
1.Tezcan AO, Armagan Bogatekin M. The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi. 2025;5:167–178.
MLA
Tezcan, Ali Osman, and Merve Armagan Bogatekin. “The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith”. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi, vol. 5, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 167-78, doi:10.62297/idrak.1714248.
Vancouver
1.Ali Osman Tezcan, Merve Armagan Bogatekin. The Role of Cognitive Dissonance in the Dilemma of Abandoning or Reconstructing Faith. İdrak Dini Araştırmalar Dergisi. 2025 Dec. 1;5(3):167-78. doi:10.62297/idrak.1714248