Freudian Defense Mechanisms- Rationalization Essays Examples

- Rationalization refers to the act of providing a seemingly logical (rational) explanation to a certain behavior that otherwise may seem weird or not adaptive. As a defense mechanism, it is an individual's way of finding a middle ground between the Id and the Superego. The Id is in charge or urges and emotions, and the Superego reflects our perception of what society expects and what is considered acceptable. When a certain desire or emotion does not coincide with societal expectations, even in terms of not being within the acceptable norms, it creates tension between the Id and the Superego, and it is up to the Ego to reconcile. Rationalization is one way of reconciling the tension, by giving an emotion or urge (emanating from the Id) a logical explanation and reason (to placate the Superego). In addition, rationalization can be construed as the middle grounds between the conscious and the unconscious. The unconscious is responsible for a certain feeling or emotion, and the conscious tries to understand it and make sense of it by providing a rationale, by explaining the phenomenon in a logical way. Whether it is between conscious and unconscious or the Id and Superego, it is evident that rationalization is, in fact, some compromise or middle grounds between two polarized forces.
- I find myself using this defense mechanism when I discuss driving. Though I have a driver's license and have driven before, I am afraid of driving; I would rather avoid having to drive at any cost, even if it means a longer journey or an inconvenience. I know that in essence, what keeps me from driving is this fear of driving, but I find myself rationalizing the situation. I tell myself, and others who ask, that having a car is too expensive, that living where I live it is smarter to use public transportation because of parking issues and because there is a lot of traffic. I also tell myself and others that on a bus I can catch up reading emails, rest and enjoy the view. In addition, I say to myself that it is very difficult to find parking anywhere, and that everything is much more accessible with public transportation.
- I think I use this defense mechanism because admitting that I have a fear of driving may force me to face this fear and its origin. There is something there that scares me about driving, I am not sure what it is, but I know there must be a reason. By using rationalization, I avoid the fear and avoid discussing it, because I do not admit that it exists. I do admit that I do not drive, but the reason I give is a completely different one. This allows me to avoid addressing the subject with others, and also with myself. In addition, specifically, rationalization provides an explanation that sounds feasible. That way, most people will not look beyond this explanation, and I am therefore "safe" from discussing my fears and facing them. In addition, rationalizing keeps the discussion on an intellectual level, far away from the emotional level and any possible fears. By using rationalization I can discuss the phenomenon of not driving in a manner that is detached from emotions, therefore ensuring that my fears remain well hidden from myself and from others.