Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me)

This book by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson delves into the psychological mechanisms behind self-justification, using anecdotal, historical, and scientific evidence.

It explains how cognitive dissonance leads people to create fictions that absolve them of responsibility, restoring their belief in their own morality and intelligence.

The authors discuss various examples, including political decisions, marital conflicts, and medical errors, to illustrate how self-justification can lead to harmful consequences.

The updated edition includes new examples and an extended discussion on how to live with dissonance, learn from it, and potentially forgive oneself.