Self-exoneration

Self-exoneration is the act of attempting to clear oneself from blame, guilt, or suspicion, especially through self-justification, denial, or the presentation of evidence that seems to absolve the individual of wrongdoing. This process often involves strategically framing events, selectively presenting information, and downplaying one's role in negative outcomes. self-exoneration aims to protect one's reputation, avoid consequences, and maintain a positive self-image, sometimes at the expense of acknowledging responsibility or accepting accountability. It often includes persuasive arguments, often with an intent to sway public or external opinion to be viewed as innocent.

Self-exoneration meaning with examples

• After the audit revealed financial discrepancies, the CEO engaged in self-exoneration by blaming a rogue employee and emphasizing his own dedication to the company. He held press conferences highlighting the company's successes, while distancing himself from the areas of concern. This tactic included claiming ignorance of the financial irregularities while highlighting the company's growth under his direction.
• The politician’s press release served as self-exoneration, attempting to discredit the accusations by portraying the accusers as politically motivated and emphasizing the absence of direct evidence against him. He argued that the investigation was a witch hunt and highlighted his past positive contributions to the community, diverting attention from the specific allegations.
• When confronted with ethical breaches, the board member pursued self-exoneration by publicly stating that they had relied on the advice of legal counsel, framing their actions as a result of professional guidance and deflecting personal culpability. This aimed to create plausible deniability, implying they were simply following recommendations and not intentionally acting improperly.
• In his memoirs, the general wrote about his decisions in the war as self-exoneration; he used lengthy explanations to justify his controversial orders, highlighting the strategic context and downplaying any adverse effects on the troops under his charge. He focused on portraying himself as a decisive leader acting in the nation's best interests.
• The athlete used post-game interviews as an exercise in self-exoneration, attributing his poor performance to external factors like unfavorable weather or equipment malfunctions. He dismissed his own role in the loss by emphasizing his dedication to practice and his past achievements. The narrative was carefully constructed to avoid blame.
• The author utilized footnotes and appendices in her biography to support her position of not knowing the truth behind specific information in her books.