Cognitive Dissonance in Social Work

ABSTRACT

Cognitive dissonance is a state of tension occurring when a person holds two psychologically inconsistent cognitions. For this study, 21 social workers who facilitate transracial adoption plans for Aboriginal children in British Columbia were interviewed: 1) Do social workers who facilitate transracial adoption plans for Aboriginal children experience cognitive dissonance? If so, in what ways? 2) How does cognitive dissonance impact them? 3) In what ways do social workers reconcile a sense of dissonance? Findings suggest that social workers do experience cognitive dissonance, that they are adversely impacted, and that they find ways to reconcile the cognitive dissonance.

KEYWORDS:

• Adoption
• aging out of foster care
• workforce issues
• permanency/concurrent planning

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan Burke

Susan Burke, PhD, is Assistant professor at University of Northern British Columbia, School of Social Work, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

Glen Schmidt

Glen Schmidt, PhD, is Professor at University of Northern British Columbia, School of Social Work, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

Shannon Wagner

Shannon Wagner, PhD, is Professor at University of Northern British Columbia, School of Health Sciences, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

Ross Hoffman

Ross Hoffman, PhD, is Associate Professor at University of Northern British Columbia, Department of First Nations Studies, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

Neil Hanlon

Neil Hanlon, PhD, is Professor at University of Northern British Columbia, Geography Program, in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.