Write about the psychologist Leon Festinger and his theory of cognitive dissonance. Explain the theory with an example. Mention an experience when you, consciously or unconsciously, modified your behavior or attitude to reduce the feelings of dissonance (for example, justifying something you did or bought, which you may have had second thoughts about). Also, write about Festinger’s social comparison theory, and discuss upward and downward social comparison. Provide examples from your own life where you engaged in this comparison process to assess yourself in comparison to others.