People who justify themselves excessively: why do they do it?

People who justify themselves excessively tend to exhaust themselves. They tire us because we see in them a forced attempt to appear efficient, to demonstrate that they are not wrong, that what they did did not respond to something casual but to a premeditated purpose. Whoever obsesses day in and day out about demonstrating infallibility clearly reveals a high level of insecurity.

Now, it is true that all of us may need to justify ourselves at a specific moment. Sometimes, we may not feel aligned with our values ​​and behaviors and we need to be consistent. Resorting to justification from time to time is understandable and even acceptable, but Turning it into a way of life is making excuses and pretexts an unhealthy shield.

For example, having a partner who has a justification for every sloppiness, carelessness or mistake ends up disintegrating the relationship. Having coworkers who make this resource a constant that makes daily work difficult makes us view them with discomfort and distrust. They are, without a doubt, high-wear situations..

People who justify themselves excessively: keys to why they do it

The Latin writer Publio Siro said that every vice has its excuse. Few things are so true. An example of this are the cognitive reactions demonstrated by people who smoke. Thus, studies such as those carried out at the University of Connecticut in the United States show that when someone tries to quit tobacco and fails, excuses are frequently used.

Verbalizations like “I’m just going through a lot of stress right now” or “it’s impossible to quit smoking when you have a partner or co-workers who also smoke.” They are usually the most used. People who justify themselves excessively also show as a trait a low self-esteem behind which hides the fear of giving a bad image.

In this way, the constant use of excuses, pretexts and self-justifications causes them to lose credibility sooner or later. That is, they finally end up demonstrating what they want to avoid.

Giving explanations and justifying ourselves are not the same

Before delving into why there are those who make this resource a common practice, It is important to know how to differentiate an explanation from an excuse. The first has to do with clarifying something, with giving details, clarifying, illustrating, accrediting or elucidating. Now, justification goes a little further and what is sought is to demonstrate that something is fair, correct or valid.

For example, someone who has done something wrong is justified to guarantee and make others see that what was done has meaning and purpose.. “If I lied to you about that information it is because I wanted to protect you; If I cheated on that exam it was because I needed to pass it at all costs because otherwise they would deny me the scholarship.”

That is, in some way, people who justify themselves excessively What they also do is avoid responsibilities and not want to face certain realities.

The power of cognitive dissonance and its effects

Anyone who resorts to justifications finds themselves in the need to defend themselves because they are aware that certain things do not harmonize with their values, beliefs, with what they were going to do and ultimately have not done, etc. We call this cognitive dissonance and defines those situations in which there are two opposite cognitions (thoughts) and you suffer for it.

Dissonance hurts, bothers and disturbs in any circumstance because directly attacks one’s own self-concept and self-esteem.

For example, if I have always defended environmentalism and veganism, it may seem contradictory that I have a car that pollutes excessively and that I also eat meat.

To defend myself and avoid cognitive dissonance, I can come up with the most fabulous justifications to try to convince others that my behavior is logical. Although obviously, these arguments will not always make sense or logic. This is what happens to people who justify themselves excessively, sooner or later they lose their credibility.

People who justify themselves excessively and the need to avoid regrets

Claude Steele, from Stanford University, already carried out a study in the late 90s to show us the need that people have to justify themselves to maintain the integrity of the self. However, There is another interesting factor that we must consider and that is to reduce regrets.

A common fact that we frequently see is how People who commit reprehensible behavior are justified in not admitting the error and also reducing the gnawing of remorse.. For example, if I commit to carrying out a project with a team of people and finally leave them abandoned, I am forced to justify myself by telling them, for example, that they can do this work much better without me because they have better skills and competencies. .

In addition to being a bad justification, it is a falsehood, but with that argument, I calm my regrets, I feel better and I get through it. Therefore, as we can see, the psychology of justifications contains great complexity behind it. The most appropriate thing in all cases is to make use of these cognitive resources on rare occasions. Otherwise, we will lose credibility.

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