After we make a decision, we often tell ourselves a story about why our choice was the right one to make. It's a mental process that psychologist Elliot Aronson calls self-justification. These rationalizations can sometimes lead us to excuse bad behavior or talk ourselves out of a poor choice. But are there also times when self-justification can be used for good?
This is the second part of our series on cognitive dissonance. Listen to the first episode: How We Live with Contradictions.
Where Happiness Hides
You 2.0: Regrets, I Have a Few...
You 2.0: Did That Really Happen?
You 2.0: When Did Marriage Become So Hard?
You 2.0: In the Heat of the Moment
You 2.0: Cultivating Your Purpose
Losing Alaska
Stage Fright
Playing the Gender Card
You, But Better
The Influence You Have
What Twins Tell Us
The Power of Apologies
The Power of Mercy
What are the Odds?
This is Your Brain on Ads
Why We Hold on to Things
Loss and Renewal
Tribes and Traitors
Our Noisy Minds
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
My Unsung Hero
A Slight Change of Plans
No Stupid Questions
Code Switch
Freakonomics Radio