Theories about how we handle discomfort

Explanations > Theories > Theories about how we handle discomfort

Here are academic theories about how we handle discomfort.

Cognitive Dissonance: we try to reduce the discomfort of dissonance.
Actor-Observer Difference: others' behavior caused by disposition, ours by situation.
Confirmation Bias: we seek confirmation that we made a good decision.
Disconfirmation bias: Agreeing with what supports beliefs and vice versa.
Escape Theory: We seek to escape uncomfortable realities.
External Justification: we blame our failures on external things.
Hindsight Bias: we pretend we knew everything all along.
Insufficient Punishment: we devalue forbidden activity to reduce dissonance.
Informational Social Influence: when we are uncertain we copy others.
Ironic Reversal: we cannot avoid thinking about things we want to avoid thinking about.
Minimal Justification Principle: we justify what can't be explained rationally.
Overjustification Effect: we attribute too externally for some events.
Positivity Effect: we attribute disposition to good things about ourselves.
Post-Decision Dissonance: after a decision we think it was a good one.
Prospect Theory: we value certain gains and try to avoid certain losses.
Regret Theory: we consider and try to avoid future regret.
Risk Preference: we seek risks around losses and avoid risks around gains.
Selective Exposure: we avoid what will cause dissonance about a decision.
Self-Discrepancy Theory: we need beliefs to be consistent.
Self-Serving Bias: we take credit for success and deny failure.
Social-Role Theory: men and women fall into expected roles.

See also