Title
Existential Dissonance: A Dimension of Inauthenticity
Date of Award
11-18-2015
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Psy.D.
Department
Graduate School of Professional Psychology
First Advisor
Peter Buirski, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Jennifer Cornish
Third Advisor
Charles Kentnor
Keywords
Existential, Dissonance, Authenticity, Inauthenticity
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.
Abstract
This paper will initially review integral concepts found within Heidegger’s understanding of existence or being - namely the dialectic between authentic and inauthentic living, and by extension, existential guilt, anxiety, and regret. Next, I will discuss a particular dimension of inauthenticity found at the intersection of existential guilt and regret, termed existential dissonance. This term, adapted from Festinger’s theory of cognitive dissonance will serve to illuminate several clinical phenomena. To ground this concept further, I will provide two case examples that further express and clarify this concept.
Extent
15 pages
Recommended Citation
Cole, Garry (Trey) III, "Existential Dissonance: A Dimension of Inauthenticity" (2015). Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects. 188.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/capstone_masters/188