Self Justification and Cognitive Dissonance
The reason for why people need to self justify their behavior is because of the uncomfortable feelings created by cognitive dissonance. It occurs when the individual’s beliefs and behavior come into conflict. So long as this conflict continues the individual will continue to experience an inner tension. They can resolve this cognitive dissonance by either:* Altering their behavior so that it fits in more closely with their thoughts.
* Altering their thoughts so that they fit in more closely with their behavior.
* Adopting new ideas to explain away the cognitive dissonance.The substance abuser can use either one of these strategies to eliminate their cognitive dissonance. They may choose to:
* Stop the substance abuse and begin living a more healthy life that is more in accord with their ideas.
* Dismiss any thoughts that seem to contradict their behavior. The individual may begin to believe that concerns about substance abuse are grossly exaggerated.
* The individual may adapt new ideas to justify their drug abuse. They may believe that while substance abuse may harm other people that they are a special case who won’t suffer the same consequences.