Cognitive Dissonance, Social Comparison Theory,

Cognitive Dissonance, Social Comparison Theory, & a Norwegian Mass Murderer

Most people require a stable sense of identity to be comfortable with themselves. For such individuals, when they perform an action that is outside of the realm of what they call their identity, cognitive dissonance occurs. When acting or behaving outside of how they believe to be, people demonstrate cognitive dissonance by being uncomfortable to the point that they are motivated to alter their behaviors or attitudes or both.

Social comparison theory is a theory that explains how people perceive themselves through the actions of others. This theory posits that humans learn about who they are from themselves and from others. People learn more about their identities and perceptions of themselves by gaining that self-knowledge through others. People use social comparison theory to acquire additional information about who they are and this information, in turn, informs people's senses of self-esteem via comparison to peers, colleagues, or other relevant persons in their lives.

In July of 2011, Anders Behring Breivik of Norway killed 77 people. He set off a bomb at a political summer camp and subsequently opened fire on survivors and passersby. He claims to be a commander in a political group/militia that is anti-Muslim and holds other very conservative cultural views. He recently spoke to the press for the first time since his arrest. He refuses to plead guilty to his crimes, though he understands what he has done and the consequences for his actions. He will be imprisoned until his trial commences.

Anders Behring Breivik is not experiencing cognitive dissonance in relation to this event. He believes that his actions are rightly within the parameters of his personality and accepts the actions taken within that formed personality. The rest of Norway, the press, the media, the survivors, and the victims' families are experiencing the cognitive dissonance because of him. They believe Norwegians have a reputation for being open-minded, respectful, and appreciative of multicultural existence and influence. Breivik's actions made other Norwegians experience cognitive dissonance by behaving outside of the conceptions of Norwegian personalities, behavior, and culture.

Again, Breivik does not experience social comparison theory. His self-esteem has not been negatively affected or diminished by being apprehended by Norwegian authorities. He is not altering any behaviors or attitudes. Again, other Norwegians experience social comparison because of him. The survivors and victims' families are learning about their will to survive and their inner strength because of the murders. They also understand that this murderous, conservative element exists in their progressive society. They further understand that despite this murderer, Norwegians are proud.