Carol Tavris Books
Carol Tavris is a social psychologist and author known for her work on gender, anger, and cognitive dissonance.
Known for: Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
Books by Carol Tavris
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
This book explores the psychological mechanisms of cognitive dissonance and self-justification, explaining why people rationalize mistakes, cling to false beliefs, and resist admitting wrongdoing. Drawing on decades of social psychology research, Tavris and Aronson reveal how these processes shape personal relationships, politics, and society, and how awareness of them can lead to greater honesty and growth.
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The Origins of Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Justification
Cognitive dissonance begins with conflict—the mental tension of holding contradictory beliefs or behaving against our values. When Leon Festinger first studied this phenomenon in the 1950s, he discovered that people would go to extraordinary lengths to justify beliefs proven false. Elliot and I begi...
From Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
Memory as the Servant of Self-Justification
Memory, we argue, is not a recording device but a storytelling process. When people look back, their recollections are subtly edited to fit the narrative that sustains their self-image. You forget the insult you gave, but remember vividly the one you received; you exaggerate your foresight in succes...
From Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
About Carol Tavris
Carol Tavris is a social psychologist and author known for her work on gender, anger, and cognitive dissonance.
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Carol Tavris is a social psychologist and author known for her work on gender, anger, and cognitive dissonance.
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