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Mistakes Were Made
28/09/09 18:32 Filed in: Non-Fiction | Books | Cognitive Dissonance | Marriage | Relationships | Politics | All Books
Book Review by Nicole Hanratty
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson (Non-Fiction)
Not since I was in school have I read a text that taught me so much. Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) is an informative, interesting explanation of human nature. Why do innocent people admit guilt to a crime they didn't commit? Why do guilty people deny their behavior? Why do politicians struggle to reverse bad policies or choices? Why do friends and family members have difficulty admitting when they have hurt one another? How can people continue using drugs or smoking when they know it is deadly?
Seeking to explain in layman's terms cognitive dissonance, this important work does an excellent job of explaining the "mental discomfort" people feel when they hold two ideas that oppose one another. It explores how one can move from knowing something is a bad idea to defending their participation in the activity and how our brains' hardwired "unbending need to be right inevitably produces self-righteousness." As maddening as it can be to witness someone defend themselves in the face of undeniable proof, this book explains how and why their brains react the way they do for self-preservation of identity, self-respect and self-esteem. Read More...
