Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts in Science and Inquiry

Jun 15, 2015 Charlene rated it it was amazing

Shelves: abnormal-psych, mindgasms, decision-making, constructs, neuroscience, top-20-of-all-time, favorites, top-5

I have dubbed this book, 'The Analytical Sledgehammer.'

Mistakes Were Made has become one of my favorite books of all time. It should be required reading for every human being. At its heart, this book examines everything humans believe about their own selves and the world at large. How have we come to believe what we do about ourselves, the people we love, & those we punish? Where did ideas of fairness come from. Why is it so hard to admit fault? What does it all mean on a personal and societal ...more

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Jan 13, 2013 Sharon rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nonfiction, science, neuroscience

Do you suspect agents of the law at any level don't operate fairly? What about historians, psychiatrists, medical clinicians, scientists, the clergy? Is what they espouse and write fact and trustworthy? And how about your own memory? Crystal clear? Better read this book.

In plain language you can find out what you and everyone else really does, why, and how you might change how you think and act. The book may open your eyes to the people around you at all levels -- why and how things turn out th ...more

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Feb 11, 2018 Kathleen (itpdx) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, lwv-book-group

For me, a new way to look at mistakes, conflicts, and guilt from global to personal levels through the lens of self-justification. Though it was first published in 2007, it clearly applies to today’s headlines.

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Jun 20, 2009 Laura rated it liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

This is a fascinating exploration of the mostly-unconscious reasoning we all use to justify our decisions and behavior. It's uncomfortable reading in some places, where I recognized my own unfortunate habits, but I think (as always) that the better you understand a problem, the more effectively you can solve it. I think this book can help people not only to recognize an improve their own behavior, but also to understand others' decisions and and work together better. ...more

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