Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental stress experienced when an individual holds contradictory beliefs, values, attitudes, or behaviors. This can be especially true for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) youth who experience conflicting messages about their identities from society, family members, friends, and even themselves.
A young person may feel proud of being gay but also experience fear and shame due to societal stigma. Cognitive dissonance can lead to feelings of confusion, anxiety, and self-doubt that affect ethical decision-making and identity integration.
Impact on Ethical Decision Making
The presence of cognitive dissonance can impact LGBTQ youth's ethical decision-making processes.
They may struggle with deciding whether to come out to others, date someone, or engage in certain sexual activities. The internal conflict between different beliefs, such as "being gay is wrong" and "coming out will hurt others," can make it difficult for them to act ethically according to their own standards. In addition, external factors like discrimination, homophobia, and rejection may create additional conflicts that further complicate ethical choices.
Identity Integration
Cognitive dissonance can also play a role in shaping LGBTQ youth's identity integration. They may face pressure to conform to societal norms or expectations, leading to a sense of internalized homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia. Alternatively, they may reject these norms entirely and embrace an alternative identity. Either way, this creates tension between what they think they should be versus what they really are, which can cause emotional distress and difficulty in integrating their identity into their overall life.
Coping Strategies
To cope with the effects of cognitive dissonance, LGBTQ youth may turn to various strategies. Some may choose to avoid situations that trigger their conflicting feelings, while others may seek support from friends, family, or mental health professionals. Still, others may engage in self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or risky sexual activity.
Finding ways to reduce or resolve cognitive dissonance can help improve ethical decision-making and identity integration, leading to greater self-acceptance and well-being.
What role does cognitive dissonance play in shaping ethical decision-making and identity integration in LGBTQ youth?
Cognitive dissonance is defined as mental stress caused by holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes or doing actions that contradict each other. In LGBTQ youth, it can arise when they experience discrimination for their sexual orientation or gender identity and feel pressure from society and family members to conform to heterosexual norms.