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Mamasawbasaw!
Ever
encounter people who automatically look for scapegoats when they commit
mistakes? They may blame others, external circumstances, or even the weather.
This behavior is often rooted in psychological defense mechanisms.
Defense
mechanisms are unconscious psychological strategies employed by individuals to
cope with reality and maintain self-image. These mechanisms are well-documented
in psychological literature. Freud's (1936) theory of defense mechanisms
describes how the ego protects itself from anxiety and unacceptable impulses
through various unconscious strategies, including denial and rationalization.
Rationalization
involves explaining an unacceptable behavior or feeling in a rational or
logical manner, avoiding the true reasons for the behavior. Research by
Baumeister et al. (1998) has shown that rationalization helps maintain
self-esteem by providing socially acceptable explanations for actions. There
are individuals who seek to rationalize their errors. Essentially, they are
aware of their wrongdoing or avoidance of responsibilities, yet they excel at
constructing plausible justifications for their behavior.
But
isn’t this fooling oneself? By rationalizing, individuals can avoid confronting
uncomfortable truths about themselves. This self-deception helps them preserve
self-esteem and avoid feelings of guilt or shame. For example, someone who
fails to get a promotion might rationalize the outcome by blaming external
factors rather than acknowledging any personal shortcomings.
This
defense mechanism is closely linked to the concept of cognitive dissonance,
which is the discomfort experienced when holding two conflicting beliefs or
behaviors. To reduce this discomfort, individuals often rationalize their
actions to align them with their beliefs. Festinger's (1957) theory of
cognitive dissonance provides a framework for understanding how rationalization
helps in reducing psychological tension.
Yet,
the underlying truth remains unchanged. While we may fully deceive ourselves
and others with our rationalizations, there exists a deep, intrinsic awareness
of the falsehoods we embellish with superficial justifications.
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