The Phenomenon of Cognitive Dissonance in Entrepreneurial Decision-Making
Thought
Consideration of how cognitive dissonance affects entrepreneurs when faced with information that conflicts with their existing beliefs or decisions.
Note
Cognitive dissonance is a potent force in entrepreneurial decision-making.
Analysis
Cognitive dissonance, the mental discomfort experienced when there are conflicting thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, can compel individuals to attempt to relieve this tension through various means, such as rejecting new information or rationalizing their choices.
In the context of entrepreneurship, cognitive dissonance might manifest when new market data contradicts an entrepreneur's product vision, or when user feedback challenges an existing business strategy. Acknowledging and overcoming cognitive dissonance is critical for the adaptability required in successful entrepreneurship.
This phenomenon aligns with Arthur Koestler's concept of bisociation, which involves the creative leap connecting two previously unrelated matrices of thought. Overcoming cognitive dissonance might require such a leap to reconcile conflicting information or perspectives, ultimately resulting in a more innovative and flexible entrepreneurial approach.
Books
- "The Discomfort Zone: How Leaders Turn Difficult Conversations Into Breakthroughs" by Marcia Reynolds
- "The Art of Thinking Clearly" by Rolf Dobelli
Papers
- "Entrepreneurs' decisions and cognitive dissonance: The influences of values and experience" by M. Zachary and K.F. Clark (2016).
Existing Products
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) apps which aid in recognizing and working through cognitive dissonance.
- Online platforms for startup analytics that may provide entrepreneurs with data that could potentially cause cognitive dissonance.