Rationalisation, or rational action?

Rationalisation occurs after an action or decision. It takes an event that has already occurred, and concocts the reasoning that will define it as rational. It’s a natural process, but can lead us to justifying behaviour that doesn’t align with our values.

Rationalisation is different to rational action, where our pre-existing beliefs and desires shape our behaviour. Instead, it creates explanations that didn’t exist before. This is the danger of rationalisation.

Rationalisation is not “designed to discover our unconscious reasons: hidden beliefs and desires. Rather, it constructs new beliefs and desires where none had existed, to extract information from the non-rational processes that influence our behavior.“ (F. Cushman, “Rationalization is rational.” Behavioral and Brain Sciences 43, e28. 2020)

When we’re rationalising our actions, we may think we are being self-aware, making discoveries about ourselves. However, the opposite is often occurring. Rationalisation allows us to re-frame our behaviour in a more favourable light, and can be a reason people feel justified doing harmful things.

Our mind wants to justify our behaviour, especially when we don’t feel good about it. That’s why it’s important to regularly check in and ask: “Am I rationalising behaviour that doesn’t align with my beliefs?”

The harder our rational mind pushes to explain a choice that might not have felt right, the more we need to deconstruct the explanations we’re feeding ourselves.

Some theories argue that rationalisation is a response we use to persuade others; casting our behaviour in a deceptively positive light. “When risking blame, for instance, we may profess benign motives or faultless naiveté, even at the expense of the truth.”

We believe rationalisation is asking ourselves: Why did I do that? In reality, it’s more likely asking: What facts would make that action acceptable? We find the facts that suit, and apply them, regardless of whether they actually fuelled the action.

Next time you find yourself justifying a choice, pause to consider whether you’re discovering genuine reasons, or just creating a rational explanation. Then, challenge that explanation. Honestly ask: Why did I do that? And allow the answer to be truly self-reflective.