The uncomfortable tension felt when our behavior and attitudes are inconsistent with each other is called:

A) cognitive distance.
B) emotional intelligence.
C) cognitive justification.
D) cognitive dissonance.
E) neglect.

Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort we experience when our behavior and attitudes are inconsistent with each other. We may feel tension, anxiety or guilt when we act in ways that conflict with our beliefs or values. For example, we may know that smoking is bad for our health, but continue to smoke because we enjoy it. This creates cognitive dissonance as our behavior is inconsistent with what we know to be true.