What is the main focus of cognitive dissonance?

Cognitive dissonance primarily revolves around the discomfort or tension that arises when an individual holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes, particularly in relation to their behavior. The main focus is indeed on the misalignment among feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. When individuals experience this dissonance, they often feel compelled to resolve the inconsistency, which could lead to changes in beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors to achieve greater harmony. This concept is critical in understanding behavioral psychology, as it explains how people strive to maintain a consistent self-image and reduce psychological discomfort.

In contrast, the other options delve into different concepts. Collective comprehension of ambiguous information relates to group dynamics and communication rather than individual psychological discomfort. The influence of a manager's power on compliance pertains to organizational behavior and authority, while performance based on individual skills focuses on ability and competency rather than the psychological aspects of decision-making and belief alignment. Thus, the focus on the misalignment among feelings, beliefs, and behaviors defines cognitive dissonance accurately and captures its essence in psychological literature.