March 1959 PMID 13640824

Cognitive consequences of forced compliance.

L FESTINGER, J M CARLSMITH

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Mentions

66
Peak: 10 in Apr 2021
across 8 sources since Oct 2016

Extended reach

294,685
potential audience

Total likes

90

Video views

2,019

Mentions per month

Oct 2016 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter46 posts
  • Instagram6 posts
  • Bluesky3 posts
  • Facebook3 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Reddit2 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussion group shows a strong collective appreciation for Festinger and Carlsmith's work, with posts emphasizing its status as a foundational psychological experiment, illustrated by phrases like 'classic on cognitive dissonance' and urging readers to 'read in full for free.' The tone and choice of words reflect reverence and eagerness to deepen understanding, underscoring the work’s importance and influence in the field.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the importance of the seminal article by Festinger and Carlsmith, showing general agreement with its relevance to cognitive dissonance theory.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest by repeatedly referencing the article, offering links, and highlighting its significance in psychological research.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants actively engage by sharing examples, discussing related concepts like motivated reasoning, and encouraging others to read the study, indicating a moderate level of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The frequent references and calls to read or cite the classic work suggest that the publication has a meaningful influence on ongoing psychological discussions and educational contexts.

Abstract in brief

  • The text explores how forcing someone to comply with a request or rule can impact their thinking, often leading to changes in attitudes or beliefs.
  • It discusses the psychological mechanisms behind forced compliance, such as cognitive dissonance, where individuals adjust their thoughts to align with their actions to reduce discomfort.
  • The article highlights that forced compliance can have long-term effects on a person's attitudes, potentially leading to genuine attitude changes, not just superficial agreement.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Aidan Wright
@aidangcw · X

Coming in at #3 we find Festinger & Carlsmith's (1959) Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance. https://t.co/6hcKtYBZ4x

Apr 27, 2023 · 7 likes · 15,639 followers View post →
Aidan Wright
@aidangcw.bsky.social · Bluesky

Coming in at #4... "Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. (1959)" - This is the classic on cognitive dissonance by Festinger and Carlsmith

Apr 21, 2025 · 6 likes · 1 share View post →
Chris French profchrisfrench.bsky.social
@chriscfrench · X

I was interviewed by aliens! https://t.co/Awh1FKTzEC An introduction to motivated reasoning: https://t.co/CRZBlhIvFC Podcast: https://t.co/T4BT2ZuPbM @demystifysci

Apr 24, 2021 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 7,508 followers View post →
bluemontauk
@bluemontauk · X

The study, "Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance" by Leon Festinger and James M. Carlsmith, was published in 1959 in the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, Volume 58, Issue 2, pages 203–210. It’s a landmark experiment in cognitive dissonance theory, testing what

Mar 9, 2025 · 3 likes · 21,478 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit

Aug 27, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 11,285 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology #cognitivedissonance https://t.co/oEzaMjQ7W1

May 8, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 11,285 followers View post →

All mentions

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TomSlick
@TomSlick49 · X

@RichardHanania Obviously, you have never heard of the cognitive consequences of forced compliance, but the people who make this a mandatory read have

Sep 10, 2025 · 223 followers View post →
Aidan Wright
@aidangcw.bsky.social · Bluesky

Coming in at #4... "Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. (1959)" - This is the classic on cognitive dissonance by Festinger and Carlsmith

Apr 21, 2025 · 6 likes · 1 share View post →
David Webb
@allaboutpsychology.bsky.social · Bluesky

VISIT www.all-about-psychology.com/cognitive_di... to read 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' by Leon Festinger and James Carlsmith in full for free! #CognitiveDissonance #psychology #PsychologyStudent #PsychologyMajor

Mar 18, 2025 · 2 likes View post →
bluemontauk
@bluemontauk · X

The study, "Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance" by Leon Festinger and James M. Carlsmith, was published in 1959 in the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, Volume 58, Issue 2, pages 203–210. It’s a landmark experiment in cognitive dissonance theory, testing what

Mar 9, 2025 · 3 likes · 21,478 followers View post →
Erika Fundelius
@erikatvicoms.bsky.social · Bluesky

Your title reminds me of the seminal article I use often: Festinger, L., & Carlsmith, J. M. (1959). Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58(2), 203. Along with other works by Festinger.

Feb 14, 2025 View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit

Aug 27, 2024 · 11,285 followers View post →
Dr Carmel Rodgers Northern Ireland Prestige Awards
@rodgers_carmel · X

RT @psych101: Visit

May 8, 2024 · 1 share · 2,003 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit

May 8, 2024 · 1 like · 1 share · 11,285 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

VISIT

Mar 18, 2024 · 11,285 followers View post →
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@Lul_Butt_Red · X

Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance by Festinger and Carlsmith, and 1984 and Animal Farm by George Orwell (marxism is political cultism).

Sep 3, 2023 · 1,302 followers View post →
Dr Carmel Rodgers Northern Ireland Prestige Awards
@rodgers_carmel · X

RT @psych101: Visit

Aug 27, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,003 followers View post →
Daniel Thomson
@djthomson · X

RT @psych101: Visit

Aug 27, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,082 followers View post →
Daniel Thomson
@djthomson · X

RT @psych101: Visit

Aug 27, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,082 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit

Aug 27, 2023 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 11,285 followers View post →
Daniel Thomson
@djthomson · X

RT @psych101: Visit

May 9, 2023 · 2 shares · 2,082 followers View post →
RFJBX0dBRFU
@RFJBX0dBRFU · X

5/7 Festinger, L., & Carlsmith, J. M. (1959). Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58(2), 203-210. Janis, I. L. (1972). Victims of groupthink: A psychological study of foreign-policy decisions and fiascoes. Houghton Mifflin.

May 9, 2023 · 276 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit

May 8, 2023 · 1 like · 2 shares · 11,285 followers View post →
Aidan Wright
@aidangcw · X

Coming in at #3 we find Festinger & Carlsmith's (1959) Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance. https://t.co/6hcKtYBZ4x

Apr 27, 2023 · 7 likes · 15,639 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Read the classic article on cognitive dissonance 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' by Leon Festinger and James Carlsmith, in full for free. https://t.co/IG5MigeG9B #CognitiveDissonance #psychology #PsychologyClassic #PsychologyStudent #PsychologyMajor https://t.co/wNVUm1K59L

Apr 11, 2023 · 11,285 followers View post →
BlackOutTheSystem
@NanaB_2010 · X

RT @psych101: VISIT

Mar 18, 2023 · 1,670 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

VISIT

Mar 18, 2023 · 11,285 followers View post →
Ed Ramon
@EdRamon4 · X

RT @aimarulinda: @Zuba42648232 There is some serious cognitive dissonance going on here, as illustrated by L. Festinger and J. Carlsmith in…

Dec 9, 2021 · 1 share · 77 followers View post →
Pillownox
@WorldpolitPack · X

@Zuba42648232 There is some serious cognitive dissonance going on here, as illustrated by L. Festinger and J. Carlsmith in their experiment on "Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance"

Dec 8, 2021 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,126 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit

Aug 27, 2021 · 1 like · 11,285 followers View post →
Tracy
@beekmanplace78 · X

RT @psych101: Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in f…

May 8, 2021 · 1 share · 4,951 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology #cognitivedissonance https://t.co/oEzaMjQ7W1

May 8, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 11,285 followers View post →
Anastasia
@demystifysci · X

RT @chriscfrench: I was interviewed by aliens! https://t.co/Awh1FKTzEC An introduction to motivated reasoning: https://t.co/CRZBlhIvFC Podc…

Apr 24, 2021 · 2 shares · 6,018 followers View post →
Jack Brewer
@Brewerblogs · X

Motivated reasoning, a topic that should arguably get much more attention among those of us interested in the UFO steeplechase. https://t.co/2iWQwymw1B

Apr 24, 2021 · 2 likes · 4,202 followers View post →
Richard Wilson
@richardwnews · X

RT @chriscfrench: I was interviewed by aliens! https://t.co/Awh1FKTzEC An introduction to motivated reasoning: https://t.co/CRZBlhIvFC Podc…

Apr 24, 2021 · 2 shares · 616 followers View post →
Chris French profchrisfrench.bsky.social
@chriscfrench · X

I was interviewed by aliens! https://t.co/Awh1FKTzEC An introduction to motivated reasoning: https://t.co/CRZBlhIvFC Podcast: https://t.co/T4BT2ZuPbM @demystifysci

Apr 24, 2021 · 4 likes · 2 shares · 7,508 followers View post →
r/slatestarcodex bot
@ssc_bot · X

Hidden tribes: how you're not immune to motivated reasoning - Author: qqqqquinnnnn - Link: https://t.co/rLZeILzKs6 https://t.co/U4PCM4qTF2

Apr 20, 2021 · 23 followers View post →
Anastasia
@demystifysci · X

@G_S_Bhogal Funny, I just spent all week thinking about this: https://t.co/wy3jNzggKQ

Apr 19, 2021 · 1 like · 6,018 followers View post →
Anastasia
@demystifysci · X

Ever wondered why people can't seem to think straight when emotions get involved? Then you'll love this week's episode that's all about hidden tribes and the appeal of motivated reasoning. Thanks to @ImHardcory for help with the research! https://t.co/wy3jNzggKQ

Apr 19, 2021 · 1 like · 6,018 followers View post →
Alexander Korf
@FarikoBrainiac · X

Interesting in light of #Corona Lockdowns across the world: Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance https://t.co/BypMnhAdSg

Mar 26, 2021 · 1 like · 3,030 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

CLICK HERE --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #CognitiveDissonance #psychology https://t.co/BTcCcMTcnX

Mar 18, 2021 · 11,285 followers View post →
Becky Slack
@Becky_Slack · X

...with what he has just said or done. BUT the larger the pressure used to ellict the overt behaviour, the weaker will be the above-mentioned tendency (Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance by Festinger & Carlsmith, 1959) /2

Mar 11, 2021 · 1 like · 3,114 followers View post →
leon Festinger
@leonFestinger3 · X

Three books I have published are when prophecy fails, the theory of cognitive dissonance, conflict decision and dissonance and cognitive consequences of forced compliance.

Feb 23, 2021 · 3 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBipzbs to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology https://t.co/J8OLOP2p0v

Aug 27, 2020 · 11,285 followers View post →
2 + 2 = 4
@vejaocentro · X

@neovictorian23 @KalishJantzen cognitive consequences of forced compliance https://t.co/1vfBugiTaQ

May 30, 2020 · 20,514 followers View post →
Dr Carmel Rodgers Northern Ireland Prestige Awards
@rodgers_carmel · X

RT @psych101: Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in f…

May 8, 2020 · 1 share · 2,003 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology https://t.co/5Gxp8zv0hs

May 8, 2020 · 1 share · 11,285 followers View post →
Dr Carmel Rodgers Northern Ireland Prestige Awards
@rodgers_carmel · X

RT @psych101: Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology https:/…

Mar 18, 2020 · 1 share · 2,003 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology https://t.co/xwloYM0cPz

Mar 18, 2020 · 1 like · 1 share · 11,285 followers View post →
Dr Carmel Rodgers Northern Ireland Prestige Awards
@rodgers_carmel · X

RT @psych101: Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in f…

Aug 27, 2019 · 2 shares · 2,003 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology https://t.co/nuspP53py3

Aug 27, 2019 · 2 shares · 11,285 followers View post →
Johnathan
@84lbs84days · X

@APA_Style have you seen this? Is this a pretty accurate understanding of Festinger, L. and Carlsmith, J.M. 1959 "Cognitive consequences of forced compliance" Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58, 203-210 ? https://t.co/UFoutLdOJM

May 16, 2019 · 370 followers View post →
David Webb
@psych101 · X

Visit --> https://t.co/yVKBBiHaA2 to read Leon Festinger's classic article 'Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance' in full for free! #psychology https://t.co/9evHItIY8z

May 8, 2019 · 1 share · 11,285 followers View post →
Janos Kocsis
@kocsis2009 · X

Cognitive Dissonance Classic: Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance https://t.co/nmk00CbJYX

Jan 15, 2019 · 35 followers View post →
Ursula
@CLASSIFIED_B613 · X

Cognitive Dissonance Classic: Cognitive Consequences of Forced Compliance https://t.co/0yyrm1r9zC

Jan 15, 2019 · 702 followers View post →
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