Author Description

Renowned social psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson take a compelling look into how the brain is wired for self-justification. This updated edition concludes with an extended discussion of how we can live with dissonance, learn from it, and perhaps, eventually, forgive ourselves.<br> <br> <br> <br> Why is it so hard to say "I made a mistake"--and really believe it?<br> <br> <br> <br> When we make mistakes, cling to outdated attitudes, or mistreat other people, we must calm the cognitive dissonance that jars our feelings of self-worth. And so, unconsciously, we create fictions that absolve us of responsibility, restoring our belief that we are smart, moral, and right--a belief that often keeps us on a course that is dumb, immoral, and wrong. Backed by years of research, Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) offers a fascinating explanation of self-justification--how it works, the damage it can cause, and how we can overcome it.<br> <br> <br> <br> "Entertaining, illuminating and--when you recognize yourself in the stories it tells--mortifying."--Wall Street Journal<br> <br> <br> <br> "Every page sparkles with sharp insight and keen observation. Mistakes were made--but not in this book!"--Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness