Cognitive Dissonance is defined as the state of having inconsistent or contradictory thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change. These inconsistent or contradictory beliefs cause conflict in the mind of the person holding them. Compare this to Doublethink, which is defined as the act of simultaneously accepting two mutually contradictory beliefs as correct. Doublethink is essentially the opposite of Cognitive Dissonance in that in Doublethink the person is completely unaware of any inconsistency or contradiction. Both of these phenomena are common in modern politics, religion, and science.