10. Moral Disengagement
Moral disengagement allows individuals to distance themselves from the ethical consequences of their actions. People achieve this by minimizing harm, blaming victims, or reframing harmful acts as justified. These mental tricks make it easier to participate in or overlook wrongdoing without feeling guilt. As described in research published by the American Psychological Association, moral disengagement erodes self-restraint and enables ordinary people to commit acts they would otherwise condemn.