Malcolm Gladwell on racism, Trump, and the moral licensing phenomenon

[yallerdawg]

CNN's "Smerconish"

We really are an 'effed up' species, aren't we?

Much more at: http://revisionisthistory.com/episodes/01-the-lady-vanishes/

[freedom fighter jh]

1. He makes some excellent points.

Not sure I agree with every example.

People eat more after a workout because the workout makes them hungry, not necessarily because it makes them feel entitled.

I find it hard to imagine that many people feel vindicated in voting for Trump because they voted for Obama. I doubt that many of the people who voted for Obama helped nominate Trump.

But yeah, moral licensing is a real thing. When Sammy Davis Jr was invited to the White House, the folks looking for a token got double value: He was both Black and Jewish.

[yallerdawg]

2. 'Moral Licensing' Ruins Diets, Savings, Goals

These Two Words Ruin Diets, Savings, And Long-Term Goals, Business Insider, by Drake Baer

Two little words destroy many a day's dieting, saving, or hustling: I deserve.

As in, I ran two miles, I deserve a few scoops of ice cream.

I saved so much on those two books, I deserve a third.

I worked all day, I deserve to not wash the dishes.

Psychologists call this self-sabotaging behavior moral licensing: you give yourself permission to do something "bad" because you've been "good" all day.

Haven't we heard the outrage targeted at Barack Obama "justified" with "I'm not a racist - I voted for him TWICE!" - or "We're not a racist country - we have a black president!"?

'Moral license'?