Rationalization refers to a defense mechanism that involves reinterpreting our Behavior to make it more acceptable and less threatening to us.

Rationalization means creating false but pla usible excuses to justify unacceptable behavior. Individuals can provide a plausible but inaccurate explanation for their failures. An individual who blames her roommate for her own poor performance on an examination may be making excuses for her lack of study and thus rationalizing.
Other /More definition:
Rationalization refers to the cognitive reframing of ones perceptions to protect the ego in the face of changing realities. It is creating logical explanations that make the cause of an event sound acceptable. One way of rationalizing is to point to external causes and, therefore, protect one's self from blame.

Related Articles

Regression at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■■■
Regression refers to the reversion to an earlier stage of development in the face of unacceptable impulses. . . . Read More
Prominence at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Prominence in the psychology context refers to the degree of importance, visibility, or significance . . . Read More
Misattribution at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Misattribution in the psychology context refers to the incorrect attribution of the source, cause, or . . . Read More
Distortion at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Distortion in the Psychology Context: Understanding Cognitive Distortions, Perception, and RealityIn . . . Read More
Self-efficacy at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Self-efficacy refers to a sense that one is competent and effective, distinguished from self-esteem, . . . Read More
Expectation at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
The term "expectation" refers to an individual's anticipation or belief regarding a future event, outcome, . . . Read More
Fixation at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Fixation refers to arrested development at a particular stage of psychosexual development attributable . . . Read More
Negation at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
In psychology, negation refers to a mental process in which an individual denies or rejects a thought, . . . Read More
Mechanism at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Mechanism is an assumption that thoughts play no role in guiding behavior the belief that the behavior . . . Read More
Subtraction at psychology-glossary.com■■■■■■
Subtraction in the Psychology Context:In psychology, subtraction is not a mathematical operation but . . . Read More