If something happens to us that would contradict a "truth" we have about ourselves, we will try to redefine this experience to make it fit, much like pushing a round peg into a square hole. So, if we believe we are stupid, and a teacher compliments us for our intelligence, we might tell ourselves, "She's just trying to be nice," or "That test was really easy to do. Anyone could have gotten a high score." We cannot accept the statement as true because it contradicts a belief we already have about ourselves.