Cognitive Dissonance Theory The American Work Place, A Modern Day Indenturement
The American worker is unable to leave from a job that is underpaid, negative or detrimental to their emotional well being because of the high risks the current economical and political climate expose them to, American workers must seek to justify their commitment to their disliked jobs by adjusting their attitudes, compromising or self-justifying their situation. Cognitive dissonance theory enhances the understanding of this behavior as developed by Leon Festinger; American workers in order to minimize emotional dissonance redefine their cognitive description of their work place and submit to modern day indenturement.
Cognitive dissonance theory develops the idea of the American workers in reducing their dissonance have a motivational drive and will justify, change or place blame in order to align their emotions with their actual actions—the working situation they submit to. The theoretical explanation is significant, as often individuals believe that attitude is reflective or motivated by our actions and behavior and not the inverse.