What is the response when someone defends their lack of performance by claiming others had similar issues?

Rationalization is the mental process of justifying or explaining one's actions or failures in a way that avoids personal accountability. When an individual defends their lack of performance by pointing out that others faced similar difficulties, they are attempting to mitigate their shortcomings by implying that their situation is not unique. This reasoning often serves to reduce feelings of guilt or inadequacy, as it shifts focus away from personal responsibility and places it on external circumstances or the actions of others. This aligns with the concept of rationalization as it allows the individual to validate their experience and diminish the perceived severity of their performance issues by highlighting that they are not alone in facing challenges.