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Rationalized refers to the process of justifying or explaining an action, belief, or decision based on logical reasoning or rational arguments. It involves constructing a plausible or acceptable explanation for an idea or behavior, particularly when it may not seem logical or reasonable to others. The act of rationalizing often occurs when one wants to avoid feelings of guilt, doubt, or internal conflict.
In psychological terms, rationalization is a defense mechanism that individuals adopt to justify their actions, thoughts, or emotions, aiming to maintain their self-esteem or protect their self-image. It involves distorting reality or reinterpreting events to make them more acceptable or reassuring, both to oneself and to others.
When a person rationalizes something, they attempt to provide logical reasons for their behavior or beliefs, even if those reasons may not necessarily be accurate or objective. This might include reinterpreting negative outcomes as positive, blaming external factors for personal failures, or minimizing the impact of one's actions.
Similarly, in a broader sense, rationalizing can also refer to the process of reorganizing or restructuring something, such as a system, organization, or process, to make it more efficient, practical, or logical. This involves analyzing and modifying existing elements to eliminate redundancies, reduce costs, improve productivity, or enhance overall effectiveness.
Overall, rationalized can be understood as both a psychological defense mechanism aimed at justification and an organizational process of restructuration.
The word rationalized is derived from the root word rationalize. The term originated from the combination of two Latin words: ratio meaning reason or calculation and alis which indicates pertaining to or relating to. Thus, rationalize essentially means to bring under the influence of reason or to provide a logical explanation for. The suffix -ize is added to the root word to form the verb form, creating rationalized.
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FUTURE
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FUTURE PERFECT
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PAST
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PAST PERFECT
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PRESENT
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PRESENT PERFECT
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