A postulated psychoanalytic defense mechanism through which irrational behavior, motives, or feelings are made to appear reasonable. [L. ratio, reason]
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ra·tio·nal·iza·tion also Brit ra·tio·nal·isa·tion .rash-nə-lə-'zā-shən, -ən-əl-ə- n the act, process, or result of rationalizing esp the provision of plausible reasons to explain to oneself or others behavior for which one's real motives are different and unknown or unconscious
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n.
(in psychiatry) the explanation of events or behaviour in terms that avoid giving the true reasons. For example, a patient may explain not going to a party in terms of being too tired whereas he did not go because he was afraid of meeting new people.
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ra·tion·al·iza·tion (ră″shən-əl-ĭ-zaґshən) a type of defense mechanism in which one justifies, by an incorrect application of reason, attitudes and behavior that would otherwise be unacceptable.Medical dictionary. 2011.