The theory of cognitive dissonance discovered by Leon Festinger, we have an inner drive to keep all our beliefs and behavior in consonance and to avoid dissonance. Therefore it refers to a condition where contradictory perceptions, opinions or actions are involved and they produce a sense of mental discomfort that leads to a change in one of the attitudes, beliefs or behaviors to restore equilibrium.
Cognitive dissonance in Psychology can be defined as a conflict or anxiety resulting from inconsistencies between one's belief and one's action or other belief.
The theory of COGNITIVE DISSONANCE basically explains the inconsistencies between an individual's perceptions and reality.
An individual strive to justify their behavior by reducing the inconsistency between their belief and realityin order not to be contradictory.