Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me) cover art

Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)

Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions and Hurtful Acts

Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)

By: Carol Tavris, Elliot Aronson
Narrated by: Marsha Mercant, Joe Barrett
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

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? 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.

©2008 Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson (P)2010 Audible, Inc.
Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Psychology & Interactions Sociology Mental Health Health

Critic Reviews

"Thanks, in part, to the scientific evidence it provides and the charm of its down-to-earth, commonsensical tone, Mistakes Were Made is convincing. Reading it, we recognize the behavior of our leaders, our loved ones, and—if we're honest—ourselves, and some of the more perplexing mysteries of human nature begin to seem a little clearer." (Francine Prose, O, The Oprah Magazine)
"By turns entertaining, illuminating and—when you recognize yourself in the stories it tells—mortifying." ( The Wall Street Journal)
All stars
Most relevant  
Some examples are quite strong, though support the overall narrative. I'll definitely recommend this to anyone

Worth it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Having read Daniel Goleman’s “Vital Lies, Simple Truth”, I was less struck by this book as I began the first few chapters. However, the book gets better and better as it goes further, and I would recommend everyone to read the book from cover to cover.

Great book about how psychology impairs our objectivity

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Makes you think again about your behaviour, thoughts and actions.
Lack stories of engineers cognitive dissonance

Insightful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Excellent book.especially you have be accept your messed up acts very practical and thought provoking book .

Practical

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Every person in a position of power should be compelled to listen to this book ...a fascinating & disturbingly recognisable catalogue of humans behaving badly !!
Yes I’m one of them!!!

Essential reading for every human !

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Excellent book - a fascinating and essential read for everyone. It should be compulsory reading for everyone, and every individual person will greatly benefit from it.
Frustrating that I would have to switch from audible.com.au to audible.com before I can purchase the 3rd edition (I bought the print version instead). Also, the 3rd ed has Tavris narrating: better.

Only 1st edition available on audible.com.au

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.