Cognitive dissonance amongst smokers

Abstract

This study investigates the manifestation of cognitive dissonance on individuals' behaviour, understanding and reasoning. A questionnaire was distributed consisting of questions to bring to light psychological contradictions, question smokers and ex-smokers about their knowledge and attitudes concerning tobacco smoking, and find out what major reasons lie behind smoking. These standardized questions were administered to a sample of one hundred and three participants, smokers and ex-smokers, who are students at the University of Malta. Basic statistical procedures were done using SPSS and involved the Chi Squared test and the one way Analysis of Variance. The results proved to be inconclusive as there were both areas in which there seemed to be a significant relationship between cognitive dissonance and an individual's behaviour and attitudes, and instances where no significant relationship was observed.