# Leon Festinger

> American psychologist

**Wikidata**: [Q315916](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q315916)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Festinger)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/leon-festinger

## Summary
Leon Festinger was an American psychologist and university teacher best known for developing the theory of cognitive dissonance. A prominent figure in social psychology, his work focused on the mental stress experienced by individuals holding contradictory beliefs. He was a member of prestigious scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, and received the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology.

## Biography
- **Born:** May 8, 1919
- **Died:** February 11, 1989
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Affiliated with the City College of New York, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, and University of Minnesota
- **Known for:** Theory of cognitive dissonance; contributions to social psychology
- **Employer(s):** City College of New York, University of Iowa
- **Field(s):** Social psychology, cognitive dissonance

## Contributions
Leon Festinger's primary contribution to the field of psychology is the development of the theory of cognitive dissonance. This theory addresses the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time. His work in social psychology provided a framework for understanding how individuals strive for internal consistency among their cognitions. Additionally, his professional roles as a university teacher and researcher at institutions such as the University of Iowa and the City College of New York helped shape the academic study of behavior and mental processes.

## FAQs
**What is cognitive dissonance?**
Cognitive dissonance is the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time.

**Where did Leon Festinger work?**
Leon Festinger was employed by the City College of New York and the University of Iowa. He was also affiliated with the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.

**What awards did Leon Festinger receive?**
He received the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology.

**What was Leon Festinger's field of study?**
He worked in the field of social psychology, with a specific focus on cognitive dissonance.

## Why They Matter
Leon Festinger matters because his theory of cognitive dissonance became a foundational concept in social psychology, influencing the understanding of human motivation, decision-making, and attitude change. By explaining the psychological mechanisms that drive individuals to resolve conflicts between their beliefs and actions, his work offered profound insights into behavior and mental processes. His membership in the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences underscores the high regard in which his scientific contributions are held. His research continues to impact academic studies and practical applications in psychology.

## Notable For
- **Cognitive Dissonance:** Formulating the theory describing mental discomfort from contradictory beliefs.
- **Social Psychology:** Significant contributions to the understanding of social influence on human behavior.
- **Academic Leadership:** Serving as a university teacher and researcher at major institutions.
- **Professional Memberships:** Member of the National Academy of Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- **Recognition:** Recipient of the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology.

## Body

### Identity and Profession
Leon Festinger was a human and a citizen of the United States. His primary occupations were that of a psychologist and a university teacher. He is classified within the field of social psychology, a branch of psychology that combines concepts from psychology and sociology to focus on social influence on human behavior.

### Chronology
Festinger was born on May 8, 1919, and passed away on February 11, 1989. His life and career spanned a period of significant development in the psychological sciences.

### Affiliations and Employment
Throughout his career, Festinger held positions at several notable academic institutions. His recorded employers include the City College of New York, a senior college of the City University of New York, and the University of Iowa, a public research university. He was also educated at or affiliated with the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota.

### Research and Theories
Festinger's most notable work lies in the area of cognitive dissonance. He is credited with identifying and defining this phenomenon as the mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time. This concept remains a central topic in the study of social psychology.

### Professional Recognition
Festinger received significant recognition for his scientific contributions. He was a recipient of the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology. Furthermore, he was elected to membership in several prestigious honorary societies, including the National Academy of Sciences (the science branch of the United States National Academies), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (an international non-profit organization promoting science), and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (a United States honorary society and policy research center).

### Bibliographic and Archival Data
Leon Festinger is widely cataloged in academic and library systems, reflecting his global impact on the scientific community. His various identifiers include:
- **ISNI:** 0000000109317782
- **VIAF:** 108682511
- **GND:** 118683470
- **LCCN:** n80013477
- **BNF:** 12245913n
- **SELIBR:** 031197779
- **NDL:** 00513190
- **NLA:** 3630300
- **NKC:** xx0116046
- **BIBSYS:** 900426299
- **SUDOC:** 068433158
- **BNE:** XX9104132
- **NLI:** 90104132
- **NLA:** 2006003503
- **NUKAT:** 20024824
- **NLA:** 47502691
- **B6N:** 0026926
- **J9U:** 000039512
- **SNAC:** biography/Leon-Festinger
- **NLP:** 14268
- **ORCID:** 0000-0002-5903-8460
- **RERO:** 0000002083248
- **Open Library:** OL1007159A
- **Freebase:** /m/015p_p
- **MusicBrainz:** 49722
- **Scopus:** 18635
- **CANTIC:** a0000002083248
- **Crossref:** 205532
- **Fundref:** 100008426
- **NSA:** 3900597
- **BIBSYS:** 9810672121305606
- **LNB:** ByOW;=B3
- **RKD:** 19386
- **NCL:** 987007279124005171
- **VIAF:** 18006629
- **LCCN:** 079466257
- **NLA:** 129337
- **FAST:** 83787
- **NLA:** 14407393
- **LoC:** 1140282266704202240
- **WORLDCATID:** 20241
- **B6N:** 118683470
- **LIR:** 29126
- **B2B:** f69mz856
- **Wikidata:** Q313642
- **Sycomore:** 200790
- **BNE:** 1714705
- **B2B:** 157334, 175213
- **B6N:** 981005670571609366
- **LIR:** 6000
- **LIR:** 27595
- **B6N:** 981058616624906706
- **B6N:** 981058616624906706
- **B6N:** 143423
- **B6N:** 190709
- **B6N:** 981005670571609366
- **B6N:** 981058616624906706
- **B6N:** 981058616624906706

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](https://www.apa.org/about/awards/scientific-contributions?tab=3)
4. Mathematics Genealogy Project
5. [Source](https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/inmemoriam/html/HaroldB.Gerard.htm)
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. SNAC
10. Croatian Encyclopedia
11. Pedagogues and Psychologists of the World
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12245913n)
14. CONOR.SI
15. Quora
16. Catalogo of the National Library of India