1 An example of plain is using basic language to describe something. 2  An example of plain is unflavored yogurt. 3  An example of plain is a woman without make-up.
Cognitive Dissonance Definition. Cognitive dissonance occurs when tension arises between a person's attitudes or beliefs and a decision that contradicts those pre-existing modes of thinking. The psychological phenomenon also occurs when a person chooses between two equally attractive or equally unappealing options. According to the Business Dictionary's website, the most common example of cognitive dissonance in the business world is the occurrence of buyer's remorse..
cognitive dissonance. The theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts are inconsistent. For example, when our awareness of our attitudes and our actions clash, we can reduce the resulting dissonance by changing our attitudes, often in a self-justifying way. foot-in-the-door phenomenon.