Cognitive Dissonance Identification in the Institutional Setting of the Academic Library

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible model for using Leon Festinger stheory of cognitive dissonance in organizations. The theory has been studied in other fields, education, social sciences and management, to link attitudes to subsequent behavior. Studies show that organizations have been negatively affected by the presence of cognitive dissonance. The study proposed a model in which two conditions must be met for a finding that cognitive dissonance is present in an organization.First, incongruent perceptions of challenges that academic library directors may be experiencing as held by them and their supervisors must be present. Second, the cognitive dissonance reduction technique of avoidance must be present. The study s findings revealed the presence of incongruent perceptions, however, a cognitive dissonance reduction technique was not found using the study s identified measure of a cognitive dissonance reduction technique.

Keywords

• Academic libraries
• Academic library directors
• Cognitive dissonance theory
• Leon Festinger
• Public universities