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The psychology of the sour grape effect

When individuals fail to achieve desired goals, they may devalue these objectives, a phenomenon known as the "sour grape effect." This term originates from Aesop's fable "The Fox and the Grapes," where a fox, unable to reach grapes, dismisses them as sour. Research indicates that such cognitive adjustments can help maintain positivity and motivation for future endeavors. Notably, people with a strong achievement orientation are less prone to this effect, suggesting that a focus on personal growth may reduce the tendency to rationalize failures.

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