rationalizations
Self-deceptive explanations given
Rationalizations are explanations or justifications that make questionable actions or beliefs seem reasonable.
The term carries a note of self-deception—rationalizations sound logical but serve to excuse what the person already wanted to do or believe: His reasons for staying were just rationalizations for avoiding change.
In psychology, rationalization is a defense mechanism that protects the ego from uncomfortable truths.
Refusal to accept reality
- self-deceptionConvincing yourself of falsehoods
- delusionStubbornly held false belief
- distortionTwisting from original state
- self-deceitConvincing yourself of falsehoods
compartmentalization · intellectualization · projection · displacement · sublimation · suppression · avoidance · disavowal
Claimed absence from crime
- pretextsOstensible justifications masking truth
- evasionsDeliberate avoidances of directness
- cop-outsEvasive excuses avoiding commitment
- cover-upsActs of concealing wrongdoing
deflections · dodges · whitewash · disclaimers · denials · mitigations · pleas · rebuttals
Means of protection
- vindicationClearance of blame
- legitimizationFormal recognition as valid
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
apologetics · grounds · basis · warrant · support · endorsement · substantiation · corroboration
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
syllogism · premise · conclusion · causality · coherence · consistency · sophistry · casuistry
denial
Refusal to accept reality
- self-deceptionConvincing yourself of falsehoods
- delusionStubbornly held false belief
- distortionTwisting from original state
self-deceit · compartmentalization · intellectualization · projection · displacement · sublimation · suppression · avoidance · disavowal
alibis
Claimed absence from crime
- pretextsOstensible justifications masking truth
- evasionsDeliberate avoidances of directness
- cop-outsEvasive excuses avoiding commitment
cover-ups · deflections · dodges · whitewash · disclaimers · denials · mitigations · pleas · rebuttals · spin
defenses
Means of protection
- vindicationClearance of blame
- legitimizationFormal recognition as valid
- validationConfirming truth or accuracy
argumentation · apologetics · grounds · basis · warrant · support · endorsement · substantiation · corroboration · authorization
logic
Science of valid reasoning
- deductionConclusion from premises
- inferenceConclusion reached through reasoning
- analysisMethodical study of parts
argumentation · syllogism · premise · conclusion · causality · coherence · consistency · sophistry · casuistry
rationalizationsself-awareness
Insight into one's psyche
unvarnished truth · brutal honesty · facing facts · owning up · coming clean
rationalizationstaking responsibility
accountability · contrition · self-reproach · owning up · mea culpa
rationalizationsself-awareness
Insight into one's psyche
brutal honesty · self-knowledge · insight · self-scrutiny · acknowledgment