When individuals show a discrepancy between behavior and attitudes, they often seek which outcome?

Individuals exhibit a discrepancy between behavior and attitudes because they are inherently motivated to achieve consistency in their beliefs and actions. This need for consistency is a fundamental aspect of cognitive dissonance theory, which posits that when people experience conflicting thoughts or behaviors, they are driven to reduce the psychological discomfort that arises from this inconsistency.

To resolve this dissonance, individuals may change their attitudes to align with their behaviors, alter their behaviors to reflect their attitudes, or rationalize the inconsistency in some way. The outcome they seek is a stable and coherent sense of self and belief system. This consistency not only facilitates mental comfort but also enhances social cohesion and personal identity. Thus, the pursuit of consistency serves as a key motivator in human behavior and is crucial for mental well-being.