In science you don’t create an abstract model first then look for instantiations that match reality, you look at reality then develop a model with predictive power.

No instantiation of Rational Choice Theory has been demonstrated to have predictive power, which tends to indicate that the formal theory is worthless, even if it is internally consistent.

Rational choice is a formal theory of choice with no particular allegiance to the empirical form an incentive takes. That is what makes it a formal theory; various instaniations of the models may however be wrong.

But, Kohn’s Punishment by Rewards is completely consistent with a rational choice model, http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/cheating.htm

However, Tavris and Aronson’s point is that the people with the self-justifying/ enhancing biases are in politics, the legal system, the military and so on. They’re driving the bus that we’re on, so there’s potentially major harm done when they won’t acknowledge their role in the consequences. Cheers,

Self justification, rationalisationa nd denial are well known phenomenon in the field of counselling? It is worth noting though that there are individual differences at play here that do not seem to have been included in the book?

Not all people automatically reconstruct memories to create a positive self image. Some individuals do blame out as soon as mistakes occur but others blame themselves and can get stuck going over and over painful situations.

In personlaity tests (where tested) this trait is called neuroticism (NEO- PIR) or adjustment (Hogan’s). Too much adjustment leads to self confidence and lack of reflection/ introspection. This greatly helps action orientated behanviour but impedes learning where as too little adjustment leads to self doubt and procrastination. Learning can also be impeded by too much introspection and negative self image.

This is the one personlaity area (sorry can’t remember citation but will look it up if you are interested) that predicts success? If you are more confident and less likely to balme yourself you are more likely to be successful. However when confident turns to arrogance then …..I’m not so sure?

Shelley

“What a wonderful piece of work. This is very interesting. It debunks a lot of pre-conceived ideas and, because all our lives have really quite a lot in common, it shows a remarkable lot of issues that have shaped my life and provided similar conclusions to me through experience rather than an academic approach. Fascinating to see so much human experience expressed in a well thought-out and executed piece of research! Thank you for sharing this with us.”

“6. Talking about an emotion decreases the impact of that emotion. You can use this asymmetrically: when having a good time, don’t analyse why but when you have unpleasant feelings, put them into words. Do this by taking to a close friend or even just writing a diary.

7. Ruminating on an emotion doesn’t decrease its impact: going over an unpleasant event in your mind just means more unpleasantness.”

Wondering what the experimentolgists have to say on the dividing line here.

More than once, I’ve had a crappy day, been quite upset for apparently no reason. Then I made a list in my head of 10-20 “little” things which all added up to be – taken together – rather overwhelming. You might file this under “ruminating” but it’s basically the same process as writing things down. But with less evidence left lying around