RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COGNITIVE DISSONANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN MATHEMATICS AMONG HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Cognitive dissonance is a theory originally developed by Leon Festinger. He is proposing that dissonance, which is the existence of non fitting relations among cognition, is a motivating factor in its own right. This motivating factor encourages the learner to be more self confident in his actions or conclusions and distinguish between correct and incorrect solutions. This motivation will lead to reach the correct decision about a particular problem. The study aims to find out the relationship between cognitive dissonance and achievement in Mathematics among higher secondary school students. Cognitive dissonance was measured by using Cognitive Dissonance Scale developed by the investigator. The sample consists of 100 higher secondary school students from Malappuram districts. The study reveals that cognitive dissonance and achievement in mathematics is significantly related.