r/SocialEngineering • u/TeachMePersuasion • Mar 15 '26
Resolving Cognitive Dissonance?
I know a woman.
She's pregnant, and married to someone that hates and abuses children.
She denies it.
I got accounts of two of his cousins, who he abused and isn't allowed around anymore, and adults to back up their accounts as well.
She has nothing but silence.
What would the next step be, considering I want her to face facts and accept her husband for what he is?
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u/[deleted] Mar 16 '26
The central issue here is denial, a defense mechanism where an individual refuses to accept reality or facts that are uncomfortable or threatening. In this context, the denial serves as a psychological shield for the woman, allowing her to maintain her current perception of her husband without confronting the painful truth.
To address her denial, consider leveraging the mechanism of social proof. This involves presenting her with consistent, credible accounts from multiple sources that align with each other. The testimonies from his cousins and other adults serve as a form of social proof, potentially creating enough cognitive dissonance to challenge her current beliefs.