With this defense mechanism, you come up with a bunch of “facts” that explain why a situation played out a certain way. That’s exactly where rationalization comes into play. Rationalization. 3. Rationalization is one of Anna Freud's original defense mechanisms . Look at the term 'defense mechanism. Other articles where Rationalization is discussed: defense mechanism: Psychoanalysts emphasize that the use of a defense mechanism is a normal part of personality function and not in and of itself a sign of psychological disorder.… Encyclopedia Britannica defines this term as: Source: cdn.pixabay.com Rationalization refers to the manufacture or invention of reasons for problem behavior that make it seem OK, at least in the addicted person’s mind. What does that mean, exactly? The mechanism usually works negatively to make the person feel worse about the situation or event rather than better. People use it often when they are angry, depressed, scared or hurt. Self-Serving Bias uses rationalization when it leads to taking more credit for success than we deserve and blame others for our failures. It’s a way to distort facts to make things look better than they do – to convince others and yourself that your motives and actions are good, not bad. Breaking down this rationalization psychology definition can help you understand it even better. The idea of defense mechanisms comes from psychoanalytic theory, a psychological perspective of personality that sees personality as the interaction between three components: id, ego, and super ego. Let’s go back to our example of missing a deadline for your team project. Rationalization is an unconscious defense mechanism in which perceived controversial behaviors or feelings are logically justified and explained in a rational or logical manner in order to avoid any true explanation, and are made consciously tolerable – or even admirable and superior – by plausible means. So, when rationalization as a defense mechanism is truly employed, the exculpating dialogue that takes place is internal. Mechanism Motto: That wasn’t my fault because... Ah, the old blame game. 'an unconscious defense mechanism by which one justifies attitudes and behaviors that would otherwise be unacceptable.' Rationalization is a disavowal defense mechanism which permits an individual to deal with emotional conflicts, or internal or external stressors, by devising reassuring or self-serving but incorrect explanations for his or her own or others’ thoughts, actions, or feelings, which cover up other motives (Perry 1990 ). As a defense mechanism, rationalization is somewhat like intellectualization, but it involves dealing with a piece of bad behavior on your part rather than converting a … Rationalization is an ego-defense mechanism that people use to make excuses for situations or events in their lives that they do not like. 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