Comments on: Creating Cognitive Dissonance as a Learning Strategy

By: Sarah Davis

Sarah Davis — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:07:15 +0000

I really enjoyed this article and feel it could be helpful with any situation in which there are stigmas or resistance to certain aspects of strategies/tools/approaches to the variety of challenges we encounter in early intervention. Parents have SO much information (and even more opinions) surrounding them via the internet and social media – while much of it is helpful, a lot of it may or may not be accurate or applicable to their child/situation. Creating cognitive dissonance could enable me to help parents see that feelings/emotions/viewpoints might not be coming from the appropriate place or they may not be formed while looking from the viewpoint of their child and his/her needs. It’s a difficult reality to accept sometimes.

By: Lisa Terry

Lisa Terry — Thu, 14 May 2020 13:16:36 +0000

In reply to Belkis Negron.

This is a fantastic example of cognitive dissonance working overtime. If you are in this situation, do not feel defeated. Sometimes, it takes time. It can be 3 sessions like Belkis’ situation or more. This situation sounded like such a deeper reflection with the baby’s mom realizing her own fear of water. You are doing a great job. Thank you for sharing, Belkis!

By: Dana Childress, PhD

Dana Childress, PhD — Wed, 13 May 2020 14:59:20 +0000

In reply to Belkis Negron.

Oh wow, what a great example of helping a parent get to a deeper level of thinking about herself and her baby! Thanks for sharing this, Belkis!

By: Belkis Negron

Belkis Negron — Wed, 13 May 2020 13:01:26 +0000

This is very helpful, as we move through the reflective process. It took me 3 sessions for a parent to realize that her baby’s continuous crying was not normal during her daily bath . She was convinced that her baby’s behavior was a normal fear of water. After some reflection, she realized that she herself was afraid of water, and was open to make some changes in her approach and behavior. She was willing to try some changes previously discussed. She was open to allow the baby’s father take turns with bathing her. The father tuned it into a playful and positive experience and changes began to happen.

By: Lisa Terry

Lisa Terry — Fri, 08 May 2020 20:04:30 +0000

In reply to Sarah Kim.

“Baby steps” are the many great joys of early interventionists. There are definitely so many dynamics that can surround a child being upset for an extended time. It sounds like this mother is responding to her maternal instinct to comfort her child. When understanding brain development and the importance of being responsive, she is doing a great job. She is battling the desire to wean her child off the bottle and her desire to comfort her distressed child. You are doing an excellent job reflecting with the mother to find alternatives to both. Discussing the family’s priority is something I have always found beneficial. I have found once it becomes a priority, there is more parental strength to overcome the battle when they are truly ready. The “baby steps” you are providing will help get to that moment. Hang in there.

By: Dana Childress, PhD

Dana Childress, PhD — Mon, 04 May 2020 13:44:03 +0000

In reply to Sarah Kim.

Great observation, Sarah. I wonder if the bottle feeding routine could also provide comfort for the mother (and closeness if she feeds the child on her lap), which might also contribute to the dissonance you see? Or, making the transition could be challenging right now in the midst of the stress families are feeling with the pandemic. Hearing her two year old cry might be especially hard right now. Lots of variables to consider. It sounds like you are providing great support. Yes, baby steps are still progress!

By: Sarah Kim

Sarah Kim — Fri, 01 May 2020 18:35:11 +0000

I work with a family who has a two-year-old. Mom wishes to wean the child from the bottle but gives in if he cries for too long. This to me is cognitive dissonance, because mom is enabling the child to do the very behavior, she does not want him to do. I understand that there is a social-emotional relationship tied to breaking this habit as it provides comfort and sensory regulation through sucking/mouthing for the child. Therefore, it is conflicting for mom when she sees her son crying and in need. I understand that is a natural instinct for most parents to soothe their child when they are upset, which is why we have been problem solving alternatives that provide the same sensory input, but may be more age appropriate (in society). It is still a work in progress, but it is “baby steps” in the right direction!

By: Lisa Terry

Lisa Terry — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 01:10:48 +0000

In reply to Yvonnie.

Yes, Yvonnie. This is a fantastic example that occurs. Parents want their children to eat a good variety of food items (belief). When they reflect on the limited choices they offer at meals (behavior), they may decide to change their behavior by introducing a new food item to match their belief. I am sure there are so many more examples that arise. Thank you.

By: Yvonnie

Yvonnie — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 12:52:24 +0000

I think I use this type of situation with picky eating and problem feeding, although I didn’t know it was called cognitive dissonance. Sometimes, when working with a family to help them introduce a wide range of tastes and textures to their toddler, They may say “I don’t like XYZ foods, so she/he probably has her/his own preferences and they are less enthusiastic about being flexible with the foods they offer their child and when they offer them, for example, lunch foods for breakfast or high flavor foods instead of bland cereals. While the child may have preferences, there is still time to adapt their child’s preferences.