Excuses: Masquerades in Search of Grace

by C.R. Snyder, Raymond L. Higgins, Rita J. Stucky

This book describes the roots and causes of excuse-making, and offers the first theory for explaining excuses, examining the ways that people cope with negative feedback through excuses. It presents an interdisciplinary approach drawing on philosophy, psychology, law etc to develop a complete explanatory picture of excuse-making. It also discusses the positive and negative aspects of the subject and reviews related research indicating applications of the the analysis in understanding behavior.

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1983

About the author

Full name: Charles Richard “Rick” Snyder

Professor Rick Snyder is internationally known for his work at the interface of clinical, social, personality and health psychology. His theories pertain to how people react to personal feedback, the human need for uniqueness, the ubiquitous drive to excuse transgressions and, most recently, the hope motive.

He has received 27 teaching awards at the university, state, and national level, and 31 research awards, including the 2002 Balfour Jeffrey Award for Research Achievement in Humanities and Social Science and the 2001 Guilford Press Award for Pioneering Scholarly Contributions in Clinical/Social/Personality Psychology. In 2005, he received an honorary doctorate from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Professor Synder's research focuses on the ideas of hope and forgiveness. As a pioneer in the positive psychology movement, he has written or edited 23 books, including six books he wrote on the theory of hope. His books and 262 articles describe hope’s impact on various aspects of life, including health, children, spirituality and work.