This is Hidden Brain, I'm Shankar Vedanten.

In nearly every dimension of our lives, we have two selves.

We have the self that knows what the right thing is to do,

and then we have, well, ourselves.

In high school, we know that hard work and preparation are crucial to success.

But when it comes time to choose between study and play, many of us choose the easy path.

As adults, we know that kindness and civility are what allow communities to function.

Yet when we are late or upset, we often act impulsively.

We know that we should visit elderly parents or stay in touch with friends who have fallen on hard times.

We know we should exercise regularly and make the time to eat healthy.

We know sleep and social connection are engines for contentment and well-being.

We know these things, but it is so tempting to settle a little

deeper into the couch, crack open a fizzy drink, and let Netflix auto stream

another episode of our favorite television show.

Over the last several decades the psychologist Elliot Aronson has worked to understand how our minds justify our actions.

We explored the origins of Elliot's research in the previous episode.

If you missed it, I strongly recommend you start through. of Elliot's research in the previous episode.

If you missed it, I strongly recommend you start there

and listen to it first.

We looked at the curious ways cognitive dissonance works,

and we examined the clash between two of Elliot's mentors, the famous psychologist Abraham

Maslow and Leon Festinger.

...