Chapter 4 Flashcards
License to Sin: Why Being Good Gives Us Permission to Be Bad
when it comes to right and wrong what does most of us do?
when it comes to right and wrong, most of us are not striving for moral perfection. We just want to feel good enough—which then gives us permission to do whatever we want.
why sometimes doing something good gives us a licence to do something bad?
When you do something good, you feel good about yourself. This means you’re more likely to trust your impulses—which often means giving yourself permission to do something bad.
Moral licensing doesn’t just give us permission to do something bad; it also lets us off the hook when we’re asked to do something good.
give an example research of illogical “logic” between our “good” behavior and the “bad” behavior.
Shoppers who restrain themselves from buying something tempting are more likely to go home and eat something tempting.
or
Employees who put in extra time on a project may feel justified putting a personal expense on the company credit card.
How do we often give ourselves credit in self-control situations even when our actions don’t fully align with our goals?
We tend to give ourselves credit for what we could have done but didn’t, such as eating only three slices of pizza instead of the whole pizza, acknowledging restraint even when our actions are not entirely aligned with our goals.
How do emotions and logic interact in our decision-making processes?
We often rely on a gut response in decision-making and only seek logic if required to explain our feelings. Even without a logical reason to defend our judgment, we tend to stick with our initial feelings.
How does feeling virtuous influence our perception of self-indulgence?
When we feel like a saint, self-indulgence doesn’t seem wrong; instead, it feels right, as our sense of virtue can justify indulgent behaviors.
What is a potential outcome of relying solely on the desire to be a good person as motivation for self-control?
If your only motivation for self-control is the desire to be a good enough person, you may give in to temptation whenever you feel good about yourself, undermining your self-control.
What is moral licensing, and how does it affect our behavior?
Moral licensing is the phenomenon that tricks us into acting against our best interests by convincing us that self-sabotaging behavior, like breaking a diet or overspending, is justified. It manipulates our desires into obligations, leading to poor decision-making.
Why is it important not to confuse goal-supportive actions with the actual goal?
It’s important not to mistake a goal-supportive action for the goal itself because doing one positive action does not mean you’ve achieved your goal. Giving yourself credit for such actions can lead to forgetting your actual goal.
How does the concept of progress influence our behavior related to goal achievement?
Americans instinctively moralize progress, feeling good about making headway on goals. However, this can lead to using progress as an excuse to take it easy and can motivate people to engage in goal-sabotaging behavior
How can the concept of progress impact our long-term goals and self-control?
Progress can lead us to abandon our long-term goals because it shifts the balance between our rational self, focused on future interests, and our instinctive self, craving immediate gratification. This can result in believing that one step forward gives permission for setbacks, making it easy to justify indulgences instead of reinforcing commitment to the goal.
What technique can help boost self-control and ensure choices align with overall goals, according to researchers?
Remembering the “why” behind your goals can boost self-control by reframing self-indulgence as a threat to those goals, making indulgence less appealing. It also helps you recognize opportunities to further your goals, encouraging mindfulness before justifying indulgent behavior.
How does moral licensing affect our future behavior regarding self-control?
Moral licensing can lead us to credit ourselves for planned virtuous behavior, such as intending to exercise later, which in turn may result in overindulgence, like overeating at dinner. This mindset allows us to justify current self-sabotaging actions by believing we can compensate for them later.
What psychological misconception do people often have about their future free time, and how does it affect their behavior?
WHY THERE’S ALWAYS TIME TO DO IT TOMORROW
People often wrongly predict that they will have more free time in the future, leading them to underestimate today’s challenges. This results in justifying procrastination, believing they can catch up later. To change behavior, it’s suggested to reduce variability rather than the behavior itself, as consistently confronting the behavior (like smoking) makes individuals more aware of its consequences over time. Instead of focusing on immediate cravings, consider the long-term effects of choices.
How can establishing a daily rule, like Fasting all day no matter where you are and what’s been Offer to you.
, influence decision-making and self-control?
Establishing a daily rule helps eliminate inner debate over choices, as it provides a clear guideline to follow. It counters the illusion that future behavior will differ from today, reminding individuals that breaking a rule once can lead to repeated infractions. Finding a rule you can consistently live with can strengthen commitment to your goals, such as deciding to fast all day regardless of temptation.
