Mistakes Were Made (but Not By Me) Third Edition - Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts

“Entertaining, illuminating and—when you recognize yourself in the stories it tells—mortifying.” — Wall Street Journal

“Every page sparkles with sharp insight and keen observation. Mistakes were made—but not in this book!” — Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness
 
Why is it so hard to say “I made a mistake”—and really believe it?
 
When we make mistakes, cling to outdated attitudes, or mistreat other people, we must calm the cognitive dissonance that jars our feelings of self-worth.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 ex