Solution Assignment 01
Theories of Communication (MCM511)
Cognitive Dissonance Theory predicts that individuals prefer congruency between beliefs
and behaviors. When an individual engages in or commits an action that opposes his/her
beliefs or attitudes, he/she experiences tension or distress that is known as dissonance.
This dissonance creates discomfort. Individuals attempt to resolve that discomfort or
reduce the dissonance by selective processes i.e. selective exposure, selective retention
and selective perception/interpretation.
Your task is to watch the video of Humsafar Drama Serial Episode No. 15 on YouTube
keeping in mind the concepts of Cognitive Dissonance Theory and answer the following
questions:
1. In what way does Khirad Hussain experience cognitive dissonance in this
episode? Explain in detail. (7.5 Marks)
Answer: Khirad Husain experiences cognitive dissonance in this episode when she had
to go against her previously held beliefs. Khirad Hussain is shown in this drama as an
egotistical lady who has decided earlier that she will fight the world by herself and will
bring up her daughter by herself without the help of her father. At the time of the birth of
her daughter, Hareem, she had committed with herself that she will never come back to
her husband Ashar Hussain to prove herself innocent. But with the passage of time, she
came to know that Hareem was suffering from some heart disease that was present by the
time of her birth and the doctors said that an open heart surgery was needed immediately
to take harem’s life out of danger. This situation led Khirad to review her beliefs as her
friend and Khala forced her to acquire help from Ashar Hussain for the open heart
surgery of Hareem because Khirad was a poor lady who could not afford the expenses of
the treatment and surgery of her daughter.
In this episode, Khirad experienced cognitive dissonance when she had to go to Ashar
and asked for the financial help. This behavior was not congruent with her previously
held beliefs. As a result of this incongruence or disparity between her belief and behavior,
she felt discomfort and tension. She expressed this discomfort with her friend Afsheen by
saying that finally I had to beg Ashar Hussain and recalled her belief that she had decided
to bring up her daughter by her own without the help of Asher.
2. Which of the concept of cognitive dissonance theory is at work when her fellow
“Afsheen” comforts her? Explain the concept with reference to their
conversations in the episode. (7.5 Marks)
Answer: The concept of selective perception/interpretation is at work when her fellow
Afsheen comforts her. As per Cognitive Dissonance Theory, persons carefully interpret
information so that it is perceived to be consistent with their established beliefs, they
perceive their acts in a way that upholds their viewpoint or beliefs and more easily
docsity.com
