What reasoning behind David's poor performance could be classified as rationalization?

Rationalization involves justifying or providing excuses for behavior or outcomes that are unfavorable. In the context of David's poor performance, attributing failure to external factors exemplifies this concept. When someone blames their lack of success on factors outside of their control, such as circumstances, environment, or other people's actions, they are engaging in rationalization. This allows an individual to alleviate feelings of guilt or inadequacy by shifting the focus away from their personal responsibility and onto outside influences.

For instance, if David claims that he didn't perform well because the exam was unfair or because he had distractions at home, he is rationalizing his poor performance instead of acknowledging personal shortcomings or lack of preparation. This reflects a tendency to protect one's self-esteem by rejecting accountability in favor of a perspective that minimizes personal responsibility.