Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me!)

By Carol Tavris

Categories: Business & Money

In this 2007 book, social psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson ask why people dodge responsibility when things go wrong, and why we can see hypocrisy in others but not in ourselves. Their answer is cognitive dissonance and the self-justification it drives. Drawing on examples from marriage, medicine, politics, criminal justice and false memories, they show how small acts of self-deception can harden into entrenched positions and widen conflicts between people.

Recommended by 5 people

• Peter Attia
• Glenn Beck
• Ryan Holiday
• Shane Parrish: “Mistakes Were Made (but not by me) by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson — The book shakes the foundations of our long cherished beliefs. Not any beliefs in particular, but the system of believing itself. It shows how some of our survival mechanisms lead us to make truly awful decisions, all in the name of protecting our view of world and self. It reveals how much energy we put into shoring up our ow”
• Jason Fried: “Really enjoyed "Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)"... Great reminder of how our minds work. Must read”