In psychology, certain seemingly-maladaptive human behaviors superficially appear to be attempts to confirm one's own self views (i.e. self-esteem, self-concept, or self-knowledge), even when this self-view is negative or inaccurate.[1] Raison oblige theory (ROT) instead explains these behaviors as consequences of a rational obligation to accept information only inasmuch as it concurs with one's current self-views.
Developed by Aiden P. Gregg (2006), the theory seeks to supplant William Swann (1983)'s self-verification theory (SVT), which takes the observed behaviors at face value.[2] Both theories provide viable accounts of observed evidence. However, what SVT identifies as confirmation-attempts, raison oblige theory instead considers attempts to accurately and honestly convey one's self-views to others.[3]