What does the term "rationalization" specifically refer to in psychology?

In psychology, the term "rationalization" specifically refers to the defense mechanism where an individual provides logical or reasonable explanations for behaviors or actions that are actually motivated by irrational or emotional factors. This allows a person to justify their actions, making them feel more acceptable to themselves or others, even if these actions are not truly justifiable.

For example, someone might justify their poor grades by claiming that the tests were unfair, rather than acknowledging a lack of studying. This mechanism helps to protect their self-esteem and maintain a sense of self-worth despite the behavior in question.

The other options describe different psychological defense mechanisms. Avoiding painful facts aligns with denial, projecting feelings onto others is known as projection, and pushing away unwanted memories relates to repression. Each of these serves different functions in coping with emotional pain or conflict, but rationalization is distinct in its focus on logical justification.