Description
Rationalization is a defense mechanism in which people make excuses for their behavior in order to avoid the true reasons for their actions. It is a way of trying to make sense of something that is unacceptable or irrational. Rationalization is a defense mechanism identified by Freud. According to Freud when people are not able to deal with the reasons they behave in particular ways, they protect themselves by creating self-justifying explanations for their behaviors. For example, if I flunk out of school because I didn’t study properly it might be so hard for me to deal with that I rationalize my behaviors by saying that I simply didn’t have enough time to study because I have a full-time job, a baby at home, and so many other demands on my time.
Definition
Rationalization is defined as “the unconscious process of providing socially acceptable reasons for behavior, thoughts, or feelings that are unacceptable to the conscious mind.”
History
The concept of rationalization was first introduced by Sigmund Freud in his book The Interpretation of Dreams (1899). Freud believed that rationalization was a common defense mechanism that people use to avoid dealing with their unconscious conflicts.
Characteristics
Rationalization is often used to:
- Avoid responsibility for one’s actions
- Make oneself feel better about one’s behavior
- Justify one’s actions to others
- Deny or minimize one’s problems
Examples of rationalization
- A person who cheats on their partner might rationalize their behavior by saying that their partner wasn’t giving them enough attention.
- A student who fails a test might rationalize their failure by saying that the test was unfair.
- An employee who gets fired might rationalize their firing by saying that their boss was a jerk.
Causes of rationalization
Rationalization is often caused by:
- Unconscious conflicts
- Low self-esteem
- Fear of rejection
- A need to feel in control
Treatment for rationalization
Rationalization can be treated with therapy. Therapy can help people to identify the unconscious conflicts that are causing them to rationalize their behavior. Therapy can also help people to develop healthier ways of coping with their problems.
Sources
- American Psychological Association. (2017). Defense mechanisms. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/topics/defense-mechanisms/
- Freud, S. (1900). The interpretation of dreams. New York: Macmillan.
- Greenberg, J., & Mitchell, S. A. (1983). Object relations in psychoanalytic theory. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- Horney, K. (1945). Our inner conflicts: A constructive approach to neurosis. New York: Norton.
- Kernberg, O. (1976). Object relations theory and clinical psychoanalysis. New York: Jason Aronson.