Definition
After we act, the brain often justifies rather than audits — protecting identity coherence over accurate revision.
Mechanism
Tavris and Aronson map self-justification as the engine behind escalating commitments and blind spots. Pair with Mistakes Were Made when a one cannot see their own pattern.
After a choice, cognition often rationalises prior commitment; escalation is stronger when the self-story is threatened than when evidence alone is weak.
Justify the story versus audit the choice — reason follows commitment. Pair Blind spot versus lie · Mistakes Were Made.
Sources
Cite
- Festinger, L., & Carlsmith, J. M. (1959). Cognitive consequences of forced compliance. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 58(2), 203–210.
- Tavris, C., & Aronson, E. (2007). Mistakes were made (but not by me). Harcourt