MRCPsych on the Go: Revision Essentials

20. Why We Resist Change: Cognitive Dissonance, Achievement and What Drives Success

Aalap Asurlekar Season 1 Episode 20

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0:00 | 16:38

Have you ever known something was bad for you and done it anyway? That tension has a name, and understanding it could change how you think about human behaviour.

In this episode, we explore cognitive dissonance and achievement motivation, two powerful forces that shape why we act the way we do. We cover Festinger's cognitive dissonance theory, the strategies people use to reduce psychological conflict, and why this matters in clinical practice, particularly in motivational interviewing and behaviour change.

We also introduce McClelland's need for achievement and his three core social motives, alongside Atkinson's model of hope of success and fear of failure.

Ideal for MRCPsych Part A revision, psychology students and anyone curious about the hidden forces driving human behaviour. Aligned with the Royal College of Psychiatrists MRCPsych Part A syllabus, paragraph 1.1.7.

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