What role does cognitive dissonance play in post-truth politics?

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What role does cognitive dissonance play in post-truth politics?

Cognitive dissonance plays a significant role in post-truth politics as it refers to the psychological discomfort individuals experience when they hold contradictory beliefs or when their beliefs conflict with new information. In the context of post-truth politics, cognitive dissonance can arise when individuals are presented with factual evidence that contradicts their pre-existing beliefs or when they encounter conflicting information from different sources. Instead of adjusting their beliefs to align with the evidence, individuals may experience cognitive dissonance and engage in various defense mechanisms, such as denial or selective exposure, to protect their existing beliefs. This can lead to the rejection of objective facts and the acceptance of misinformation or "alternative facts," which are often propagated in post-truth politics.