What term describes the process of justifying one's behaviors or feelings with logical reasons rather than the emotional reasons?

The term that describes the process of justifying one's behaviors or feelings with logical reasons rather than emotional ones is rationalization. This defense mechanism allows individuals to provide themselves with explanations that seem reasonable and justifiable, even if the actual motivations are rooted in emotional or psychological factors. For instance, someone might say they work late hours to "improve productivity" when the underlying reason is actually fear of failure or anxiety about their job performance.

Rationalization helps to reduce anxiety and guilt by making an unacceptable behavior or feeling seem more acceptable. It can serve as a coping strategy to allow individuals to maintain a self-image that is aligned with societal expectations or personal beliefs, even if those beliefs are not the true driving forces behind their actions.

In contrast, displacement involves shifting feelings towards a more acceptable target rather than addressing the source of discomfort. Denial is a refusal to accept reality or fact, effectively blocking the truth from conscious awareness. Suppression is the conscious decision to avoid distressing thoughts and feelings, rather than justifying them. Each of these other processes functions differently and does not specifically involve the justification of behaviors with logical reasoning like rationalization does.