Here&#x27;s a famous paper on the subject.  It&#x27;s not a new paper, it&#x27;s from 1977.<p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;people.virginia.edu&#x2F;~tdw&#x2F;nisbett&amp;wilson.pdf" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;people.virginia.edu&#x2F;~tdw&#x2F;nisbett&amp;wilson.pdf</a><p>In short, people often have no idea why they chose to do what they did.  However, when asked, &quot;why did you choose to do that?&quot; they will rarely say, &quot;I don&#x27;t know&quot; but will instead concoct stories that explain their choices -- explanations that are often wrong.