This is the third installment in my exploration of cognitive dissonance, or the psychological discomfort we feel when our beliefs collide with opposing facts. We began with an overview of the phenomenon and then examined its appearance in collective guilt. This month I am turning to one of the most vivid, real-time case studies, which…

With so many ethical scandals breaking out in recent years (e.g., Deutsche Bank and money laundering, Volkswagen and the manipulation of diesel emissions testing, Wells Fargo and unethical sales tactics), it leads one to question: What is running through the minds of the people participating in the unethical acts?