Dirty deeds unwanted: the use of biased memory processes in the context of ethics

•Individuals take an active role in shaping their memory of unethical actions.•Individuals use biased memory processes that involve clouding the truth in order to maintain a moral self-image.•One's dishonest behavior is an unwelcome and unwanted memory.•One's dishonest behavior can become relatively inaccessible to consciousness over time.

One's dishonest behavior is an unwelcome and unwanted memory and can become relatively inaccessible to consciousness over time. We review research that provides support for the active role that people have in shaping their memory of unethical actions. We argue that in service of social-advancement and self-enhancement, people are likely to use biased memory processes that involve obfuscating the truth so that they can maintain a moral self-image.