Psychoanalytic and cognitive dissonance theories

Earl S. Hishinuma

pp. 157-178

in: Arthur W. Staats, Leendert Mos (eds), Annals of theoretical psychology, Berlin, Springer, 1987

Abstract

Psychology is a disunified science, characterized by competitive schools, artificial diversity, and inefficiency. In order for psychology to become a unified science, many different types of unification efforts must be undertaken. One such unifying analysis, involving the unification of theoretical formulations, is posed in this chapter. This unifying theory review of the commonalities between psychoanalytic theory (PT) and cognitive dissonance theory (CDT) is but one example of the many unifying efforts needed. The importance, implications, and advantages of such unifying endeavors are discussed.