Answer:
Rationalization.
Explanation:
Rationalization is explained here as an ego defense mechanism that people use to make excuses for situations or events in their lives that they do not like. This is seen here as Bruce's case because he is vehemently trying to turn the irrational in his present situation to rational. People use it often when they are angry, depressed, scared or hurt.
The mechanism usually works negatively to make the person feel worse about the situation or event rather than better. Rationalization is a type of cognitive distortion.
In cases like this when people rationalize, they turn irrational things into rational.
