“…Rationalization is an approach to reducing cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957; Aronson, 1980; Crump, 2008; Randles et al , 2015), which is a psychological state of conflicting ideas, beliefs, attitudes or opinions (Festinger, 1957; Aronson, 1980; Lowell, 2012). New information is a factor that induces cognitive dissonance and leads to an affirmation of or change in belief (Frey, 1986; Elliott and Devine, 1994; Basel and Brühl, 2016). Inconsistency between an initial belief and new information causes discomfort, and a person committed to a belief will minimize, avoid or invalidate any contradictory new information and accept confirming information (Lord et al , 1979; Aronson, 1980; Frey, 1986; Woolley, 2007).…”