Why It's So Easy to Lie to Yourself

"What about the lies you tell yourself? Aren't you also aware of these? After all, you know when you've had "one too many" of something that's bad for you. It's not pleasant to admit it, but the truth is definitely "out there" (or, in this case, "in here"). An act of self-deception may seem pretty harmless, all things considered, especially when compared to lying to others. But why bother? There's nothing really in it for you other than maybe feeling better in the moment."

"However, it turns out that self-persuasion occurs, and in a remarkably simple way. All you have to do is come up with an argument on one side or another in a given debate. Lo and behold, you'll soon come to believe in that position, even if you didn't choose it in the first place. Self-deception comes next, as you start to tell yourself that this is how you truly feel."

Self-persuasion occurs when people generate arguments favoring one side, which causes adoption of that position and later rationalization as genuine belief. Self-deception follows as individuals reinterpret their feelings to match the arguments they produced. Cognitive dissonance emerges when behavior conflicts with beliefs, creating internal pressure to restore consistency through altered attitudes or justifications. External incentives and rewards exert surprisingly limited influence on the extent of self-deception. Commitment to sincere convictions, even when difficult, strengthens the ability to act in accordance with internal values and reduces the temptation to engage in self-justifying falsehoods.

Read at Psychology Today