People are largely motivated to stay consistent in how they act and feel, however they often have an unrealistic view of themselves. This view creates cognitive dissonance, or performing an action based off a thought that opposes one’s self concept (text, p.138). Cognitive dissonance occurs because people want to maintain a positive self –image, so instead of acknowledging short comings; they apply strategies to avoid the negative feeling dissonance can cause. In the Fog of War (2003), dissonance is clearly seen because the Vietnam War was very controversial leaving those who were involved to face personal struggles dealing with what their actions.
One of the key struggles Robert McNamara, the secretary