What reasoning did Seaman Garcia use to explain his tardiness at work?

Seaman Garcia's reasoning for his tardiness is categorized as rationalization because he is likely providing a justification or excuse for his behavior rather than accepting responsibility. Rationalization involves making excuses to explain one's actions in a way that seems reasonable, often allowing the individual to maintain a sense of self-esteem or avoid facing uncomfortable truths about their behavior. For instance, if he explained his tardiness by blaming traffic or a personal situation that he felt was unavoidable, he would be rationalizing his lateness rather than owning up to the real reasons behind it. This approach is common in various contexts, especially when individuals seek to alleviate feelings of guilt or inadequacy related to their actions.

The other options illustrate different psychological responses. Denial involves refusing to accept the reality of a situation, acceptance indicates acknowledgment of circumstances without resistance, and reaction formation is displaying behaviors opposite to true feelings, none of which accurately describe a justification of tardiness.