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Quantifying the prevalence and adaptiveness of behavioral rationalizations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

Warren Tierney  and
Eric Luis Uhlmann Open the ORCID record for Eric Luis Uhlmann [Opens in a new window]
Warren Tierney
Affiliation:
Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Castletroy, LimerickV94 T9PX, Ireland. warrentierney@hotmail.com
Eric Luis Uhlmann
Affiliation:
Organisational Behaviour Area, INSEAD, 138676Singapore. eric.luis.uhlmann@gmail.comhttp://socialjudgments.com/
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Abstract

Critical aspects of the “rationality of rationalizations” thesis are open empirical questions. These include the frequency with which past behavior determines attitudes (as opposed to attitudes causing future behaviors), the extent to which post hoc justifications take on a life of their own and shape future actions, and whether rationalizers experience benefits in well-being, social influence, performance, or other desirable outcomes.

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Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 43 , 2020 , e50
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Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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