Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts
by Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson
Mistakes Were Made by Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson holds a well received rating of 3.99 out of 5, based on 15.2K reader ratings. First published in 2007. The book spans 304 pages.
About Mistakes Were Made
Why do people dodge responsibility when things fall apart? Why the parade of public figures unable to own up when they screw up? Why the endless marital quarrels over who is right? Why can we see hypocrisy in others but not in ourselves? Are we all liars? Or do we really believe the stories we tell? Renowned social psychologists Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson take a compelling look into how the brain is wired for self-justification. When we make mistakes, we must calm the cognitive dissonance that jars our feelings of self-worth. And so we create fictions that absolve us of responsibility, restoring our belief that we are smart, moral, and right -- a belief that often keeps us on a course that is dumb, immoral, and wrong. Backed by years of research and delivered in lively, energetic prose, Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) offers a fascinating explanation of self-deception -- how it works, the harm it can cause, and how we can overcome it.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson |
| Published | 2007 |
| Pages | 304 |
| Genres | Psychology, Non-Fiction, Science, Self-Help, Business |
| Average Rating | 3.99 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 15,249 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Mistakes Were Made?
Mistakes Were Made is categorized as Psychology, Non-Fiction, Science, Self-Help. Its primary genre classification is Philosophy.
Is Mistakes Were Made worth reading?
Based on 15.2K reader ratings, Mistakes Were Made has an average score of 3.99 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Mistakes Were Made?
Mistakes Were Made has 304 pages.
Who wrote Mistakes Were Made?
Mistakes Were Made was written by Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson. It was first published in 2007.
What is the ISBN for Mistakes Were Made?
The ISBN-13 for Mistakes Were Made is 9780151010980.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
