A NEW EDITION UPDATED IN 2020 • 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When we make mistakes, cling to outdated attitudes, or mistreat other people, we must calm the powerful cognitive dissonance that jars our feelings of self-worth.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 decades 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. Extensively updated, this third edition has many recent and revealing examples, including the application of dissonance theory to divisive social issues such as the Black Lives Matter movement and he said/she said claims. It also features a new chapter that illuminates how our political psychology is playing a role in the currently polarized political scene, changing the nation’s values and putting democracy itself at risk.

“Every page sparkles with sharp insight and keen observation. Mistakes were made—but not in this book!” —Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness

“A revelatory study of how lovers, lawyers, doctors, politicians—and all of us—pull the wool over our own eyes . . . Reading it, we recognize the behavior of our leaders, our loved ones, and—if we’re honest—ourselves, and some of the more perplexing mysteries of human nature begin to seem a little clearer.” —Francine Prose, O, The Oprah Magazine

This landmark work of social psychology reveals the hidden mental machinery that shapes our lives, exploring:

The Engine of Self-Justification: Understand cognitive dissonance, the powerful mental discomfort that leads us to justify our mistakes rather than admit them. The Confirmation Bias: Learn why our brains are wired to reject facts that contradict our beliefs and how this universal human behavior shapes our decisions. Real-World Consequences: Explore fascinating case studies—from the law and politics to our personal relationships—that show how self-justification can lead good people to do dumb, immoral, and wrong things. A Path to Self-Awareness: Discover how to overcome the pull of self-justification, see our errors more clearly, and develop the ability to say, “I was wrong.”

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