Final answer:
When opportunities and pressures are low, a person needs more rationalization to commit fraud, as it is a key factor in the fraud triangle to justify such actions. Motivated reasoning is related to how individuals may reject evidence that challenges their desired beliefs. Rationalization can also link to claiming higher authority for one's actions in order to pursue a perceived greater good.
Step-by-step explanation:
When perceived pressures and/or opportunities are low, a person needs more rationalization to commit fraud. Rationalization serves as part of the fraud triangle, which is a model that explains the factors that can lead to fraud. Increased rationalization is often necessary to justify the decision to commit fraud, especially when the opportunity or pressure to do so is not strong.
In the context of someone feeling they deserve a raise, they might rationalize not asking for it by believing that hard work is its own reward. This can be seen as a form of motivated reasoning, where individuals embrace ideas they want to believe and reject evidence challenging those beliefs.
The need for more rationalization aligns with theories of moral behavior and justifications for actions, such as Sykes and Matza's techniques of neutralization, where one might claim higher authority to justify an action deemed necessary for a greater good.