Cognitive dissonance theory is a theory of behavior advanced

by Leon Festinger which states that when there exists a serious

inconsistency among ones own beliefs, or actions a behavior pattern

that will attempt to restore cognitive consistency will be triggered.

	Sam's sad story is a constant struggle against cognitive

inconsistencies. Firstly Sam's father is protecting his own

"self-picture". He has deluded himself into believing that had it not

been for the war he would have become a great mathematician. Sam did

not have any great love or aptitude for mathematics. It had become

painful for him. Hedge trimming was also an unpleasant experience. sam

none the less began trimming the hedge to get out of the thing that he

really despised, math problems. This is a case of "forced compliance".

sam had to change his own image of hedge trimming to maintain a

balanced self-picture. Being in a situation that is colloquially known

as "between a rock and a hard place" as we all know is very usettling.

In order to keep from feeling foolish that he is CHOOSING to do

something that he does not enjoy Sam modified his own perception of

the task.

	Dissonance treduction can aslo be applied to Sam's attitude

about his "C" in trigonometry. When people make a significant

sacrifice to attain a particular goal that goal is prized more highly

than if it were easily attainable. When the effort is exerted and the

goal is not reached the converse occurs and the goal becomes much less

highly prized (see Aesop's fables re:sour-grape syndrome). sam had to

believe that getting an "A" in trig just was not that importtant. If

he thought that it was he would have to consider himself a failure.

	Sam's rowdiness can be seen as a combination of yielding to

social pressures and a conjoined attempt to maintain his self-picture.

In his mind his father believed him to be a worthless failure. As

everyone needs to feel important in some manner, Sam began this

relationship with his seedy friends. His reference group shifted from

his father/family to his new friends. In seeking group support he also

knuckled under to social pressure and got caught shoplifting.

	Sam's venture into oriental cooking allowed him to maintain a

positive self-image. His eventual abandonment of this again is a case

of justification of effort. Since something he had once enjoyed had

become painful to him (through his father's death and his

hospitalization) he had to shift his beliefs to justyfy not practicing

his art.