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The Broken Biscuit Effect
What Is the Broken Biscuit Effect?
In Critical Thinking, the Broken Biscuit Effect is the tendency to invent an irrational justification for an action.
Easy Definition of the Broken Biscuit Effect
If you make up a daft reason for doing something, you are using the Broken Biscuit Effect on yourself.
Academic Definition of the Broken Biscuit Effect
The Broken Biscuit Effect occurs when a person invents an irrational justification for their actions. Even though the person knows the justification is irrational, it still provides the impetus to carry out the action. It derives its name from the irrational notion that "broken biscuits have no calories", which a dieting person will cite before consuming a broken biscuit (or one with slightly imperfect edging) or breaking one before eating it.
An Example of the Broken Biscuit Effect
We're getting our taxes back, innit?

To me, the girls didn't really look like employed types (based on age), but, on the assumption they were, why did they think they were owed a return of tax? Two other girls of a similar age answered the same question with "It's the government's fault. It's the conservatives. Conservatives? Er, whatever. It's the government, innit?" Another answered, "I don't know, but it's good though."
Well, at the least the last answer was rational. The other two answers (taxes and government) were examples of the Broken Biscuit Effect. This was people making up irrational justifications to do exactly what they wanted to do.
A Practical Application of the Broken Biscuit Effect
Defend against yourself

If you're aware that you're tricking yourself, it will strengthen your resolve to counter it. I'm not saying it's 100% effective. I mean, I have no broken biscuits or cakes nearing their sell-by dates in my fridge. They're all scoffed. But I probably had more of a mental tussle with myself than most people would before I did the deed.
Besides, my two Jack Russells love broken biscuits and just-in-date cakes. Crikey, that might be the Broken Biscuit Effect by proxy.
So, if you're the sort of person who at the last minute decides to have "one for the road", bear in mind that's just you subjecting yourself to the Broken Biscuit Effect.
Summary of the Broken Biscuit Effect
If you think someone has created an irrational justification to provide the impulse to act (particularly if the justification comes just moments before the deed), tell them they have tricked themself with the Broken Biscuit Effect.- Do you disagree with something on this page?
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