Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson have written a book that many people may find difficult to read. Why? Because it is like holding a mirror in front of one’s own face and looking into it. The book is about something most, if not all of us, have done: Justified our actions or words no matter how wrong they were. As Tavris and Aronson (2007) wrote in their book, “. . . most of us find it difficult, if not impossible to say, ‘I was wrong; I made a terrible mistake.’ The higher the stakes – emotional, financial, moral – the greater the difficulty.” Why is it so difficult for us to admit that we’re wrong? Tavris and Aronson (2007) wrote that instead of backing down and apologizing, people have a tendency to continue to justify their actions even when irrefutable evidence is staring them in the face. They are guilty. They know they are guilty. They and everyone else can see the evidence that they are guilty. But they continue to justify their actions. Tavris and Aronson (2007) used President George W. Bush as an example of this blind justification, citing all the ways that he was wrong about going to war in Iraq. But still, after years and years of bloodshed, lost American lives, huge financial debt, etc., Bush stated to a conservative columnist, “I’ve never been more convinced that the decisions I made are the right decisions.” And to be bi-partisan, they also included one of politics’ biggest lies told by Bill Clinton. “I never had sex with that woman . . . Monika Lewinski.” Tavris and Aronson (2007) compared this self-justification to what so many of us have done in our private lives. Namely, remain in unhappy relationships because we’ve invested so much time trying to make it work; staying in a dead end job because we’re... ... middle of paper ... ...ly never thought he did anything wrong – I devoured this book and felt so much better for having read it. I would like to know if men are more inclined to Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Justification than women. In my experience and in listening to other women, that seems to be the case as far as admitting to making mistakes and apologizing for them. But then women, in my experience, seem to be the most adept at Self-Justification in their ability to stay with the wrong man for so long, always ready with a reason to justify her actions. The examples of how politicians justify their words and actions were extremely interesting and will be invaluable to me as I deal with politicians in my work. Works Cited Tavris, C., & Aaronson, E. (2007). Mistakes were made (but not by me): Why we justify foolish beliefs, bad decisions, and hurtful acts. New York: Harcourt
In contrast to Aristotle, Roko Belic’s documentary “Happy” provides a fresh perspective that takes place far more recently. The film sets out to similar goals of Aristotle in defining the nature of happiness and exploring what makes different people happy in general. Unlike Aristotle, however, the film’s main argument refers to makes people happier. In this case, the film argues that merely “doing what you love” is what leads to happiness (Belic). The argument itself appears oddly self-serving, considering that message is what underlines the foundation of happiness, yet there is a subliminal message that a simpler lifestyle is what leads to what the film is trying to convince you of. The message itself is obviously addressed to Americans, considering
Fostering Nation? Canada Confronts Its History of Childhood Disadvantage written by Veronica String-Boag explores the oversights and the demanded promise of a century and more of child protection efforts by Canadians and their governments. String-Boag draws on a perspective that examines Canada’s marginalized youngsters between the nineteenth to the twenty-first century. The novel examines many different aspects about childhood disadvantage ranging from institutions, birth parents, state policies, and foster parents. This provides the audience with an endless reminder that the welfare of children cannot be separated from institutions and the community. But how well does String-Boag’s novel go about displaying the history of childhood disadvantage
On August 17, 1998, exactly one year after making the statement above, President Bill Clinton prepared to deliver a speech concerning a scandal that had gripped the nation for months. It is needless to say that this was an important moment during the Clinton administration. After accusations of sexual harassment, Clinton addressed the nation and admitted to having a relationship with Monica Lewinsky. In this critical speech Clinton set out to admit to wrong-doings, provide a few reasons for his action, and ultimately persuade the audience into moving on and forgetting the scandal. This essay will break down his speech into sections and examine the most and least effective strategies that Clinton employed and how well he executed those strategies. This is an interesting speech given under rare circumstances. Not since Watergate had an American president been under such harsh moral criticism from the public. By looking critically at this speech we are able to gain valuable insight into Clinton's motives.
When one does wrong, the common reaction is to hide it and pretend as if nothing happened. Because of the human conscience it is difficult to completely forget about a wrongdoing. Through our conscience guilt is built up and eventually that guilt shatters enough barriers and in turn causes the doer to admit his/her wrong.
After reading Domhoff’s book, Who Rules America?, I can make many opinions about his work and reflect on the ideas that he shares in the text. I found this book to be both challenging and informative. It was a very slow read for me because it contained many facts and figures, common for books printed for academia. For example, chapter four contains many tables and charts outlining trustee interlock and the flow of money or resources (pg 78, 80). The concepts stated in the text went beyond that of an introductory sociology class, implementing several theories and connecting them to the country we live in. In chapter six, a case study of President Obama’s donor network was analyzed. He shares with the readers the connections the president has
In life we have many choices. Some choices may be more difficult than others. At times as human beings we make the wrong choice, but also there’s times when our choice is the correct or the better one. Talking about choices the choices we make can affect our entire life overall or can just affect a small aspect of our life. Of course, with choices there are also consequences behind the choice if the wrong decision is made. This can sometimes re-shape our entire life and flip it upside down. Sometimes these consequences can be harsh punishments such as serving jail time for example. Through these consequences no matter how difficult they may be to overcome a lesson can almost always be taught. In The Wife of Bath’s Tale by Geoffrey Chaucer a Knight who has raped a woman and now will suffer consequences such as death. He escapes these consequences with the order of the queen to find out what most women want in life of course, The Knight thinks he’s off the hook yet some may argue that his punishment has just begun. The Knight committed a terrible crime by raping a woman and he did not receive punishment he deserved by what happened in the end of the story, the choice he had was very interesting and the Knight understands the nature of women.
In the adversarial justice system, when the offender admits to the criminal act, there is no further controversy and the case promptly proceeds to sentencing. Physical evidence and victim or witness statements may often be overlooked and not considered. The confession is considered unequivocal evidence of guilt and a conviction is ensured. Indeed, the interrogation process’ sole purpose is to obtain a confession. Zimbardo (1967) estimated that “of those criminal cases that are solved, more than 80% are solved by a confession.” (Conti, 1999) Without the confession, convictions may be reduced significantly. So why does a person falsely confess to a crime if the likelihood of a conviction is eminent? A false confession to any crime is self-destructive and counterintuitive.
In this world, there is around seven billion people, and while all individuals have different lives and obstacles, every person shares one quality in common: mistakes. As a human being, it is inevitable to not constantly make mistakes; in fact, following through with a poor decision is what helps people learn and grow. However, people like Monica Lewinsky or the character Hester Prynne are constantly publically shamed for making a mistake that will later be regretted, especially if it is for a fault of something major. Also, with daily human interaction and internet today, no matter what someone says or does, that one poor decision will forever lurk over the individual’s head, constantly taunting and reminding about the committed sin that is
...orgive oneself for one’s mistakes (343). Although the reader is reminded of the shame of his past, the author, through the character’s consolation, lifts his heart to its prior honor, honor, and compassion. Frank McCourt does as Faulkner suggested and helps the reader endure his own pain mirrored by the character’s confrontation with adversity.
Have you ever done something wrong? Did you try to place blame other places until eventually coming to the conclusion that it’s your fault? Well in Tim O’Brien’s book The Things They Carried this is something that happens often. Especially after one of their men dies in combat.
I have done things that I am not proud of and some things that will never be mentioned in public again. In everything that I did wrong I tried to justify or make it seem to be less of a negative act. Tim O'Brien does not do this in his short story named "The Man I Killed." O'Brien instead gives the young Vietnamese man a history, a present, and a whole life. He does this by creating an elaborate story of teenage love, family conflict, and personal pride.
Diamond, J. (1987). The worst mistake in the history of the human race. Discover, 8(5), 64-66.
Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old woman, discovers she has brain cancer. She looks back on her full life; traveling the world, teaching orphans overseas, climbing mountains, falling in love, and getting married. So young, but has experienced so much joy. Now, she looks ahead at the future. “Diagnosed with a rapidly growing brain tumor, Maynard says she faces a debilitating, painful and certain death.” (Luscombe 1). Treatment for this aggressive dark matter can extend her life to a median survival of 14.6 months, 30% may live up to two years. After doing her research, she chooses to not spend the next year battling the inevitable outcome of death. She chooses to face “death with dignity.” Susan Trossman refers to Maynard in
From a very young age people are taught that making mistakes was often indictable, but as time progresses we realize that making mistakes is only human nature, and without learning those lessons we wouldn’t be the people we are. Crime and guilt have always been two very significant factors of how our society works. Without guilt after committing a crime, we never truly learn. Charles Dickens and J.K Rowling communicate the idea that without committing crimes and feeling guilt, you can not properly mature and learn the necessary morals that keep a balanced society.
morals that say there was nothing wrong with what was done: only show the confusion on the