Final answer:
The concept of defense mechanisms in psychology explains how individuals use conscious reasoning to explain away anxiety-including thoughts and feelings. Rationalization is a specific defense mechanism that involves justifying behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable real reasons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of conscious reasoning to explain away anxiety-including thoughts and feelings is related to the concept of defense mechanisms in psychology. Defense mechanisms are unconscious protective behaviors that aim to reduce anxiety. One specific defense mechanism that involves conscious reasoning is rationalization.
Rationalization is a defense mechanism where individuals justify behaviors by substituting acceptable reasons for less-acceptable real reasons. For example, if someone is anxious about public speaking, they may rationalize it by saying that they are not prepared enough or that the audience is not receptive.
By engaging in conscious reasoning and rationalization, individuals try to reduce anxiety by attributing their thoughts and feelings to more acceptable causes or explanations.