Medical term:
rationalization
rationalization
[rash″on-al-ĭ-za´shun]an unconscious defense mechanism in which a person finds logical reasons (justification) for his or her behavior while ignoring the real reasons. It is a form of self-deception unconsciously used to make tolerable certain feelings, behaviors, and motives that would otherwise be unacceptable. Everyone uses rationalization at some time or other and in most instances it is a relatively harmless behavior pattern; the danger lies in deceiving oneself habitually so that eventually harmful or destructive behavior comes to be justified in one's mind.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
ra·tion·al·i·za·tion
(rash'un-ăl-i-zā'shŭn),A postulated psychoanalytic defense mechanism through which irrational behavior, motives, or feelings are made to appear reasonable.
[L. ratio, reason]
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
rationalization
(răsh′ə-nə-lĭ-zā′shən)n.
1. The act, process, or practice of rationalizing.
2. An instance of rationalizing.
The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
rationalization
Psychology A defense mechanism in which a person attempts to justify or make consciously tolerable by plausible means, feelings, behavior, or motives that are otherwise intolerable; an explanation or justification for one's actions. See Ego defense mechanism, Projection.McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
ra·tion·al·i·za·tion
(rash'ŭn-ăl-ī-zā'shŭn)A psychoanalytic defense mechanism through which irrational behavior, motives, or feelings are made to appear reasonable.
[L. ratio, reason]
Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
ra·tion·al·i·za·tion
(rash'ŭn-ăl-ī-zā'shŭn)Postulated psychoanalytic defense mechanism through which irrational behavior or feelings are made to appear reasonable.
[L. ratio, reason]
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012
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