What motivates individuals to perform theft according to rationalization concepts?

The motivation for individuals to perform theft through the lens of rationalization concepts centers around feelings of being treated unfairly or as victims. This perspective involves the psychological process where individuals justify their unethical behavior to themselves. When someone perceives that they have been wronged, either by their employer, colleagues, or society as a whole, they may feel entitled to steal or commit fraud as a means of leveling the playing field or compensating for their perceived grievances. This rationalization allows them to alleviate guilt and align their actions with their internal values, even if those actions are fundamentally wrong.

In contrast, the other options represent external influences or pressures rather than internal rationalization processes. The desire to impact company profits may be a motivation for white-collar criminals, but it does not reflect the individual's personal justification for their actions. Peer encouragement to commit fraud can influence behavior but does not stem from the individual's own perceptions of fairness or victimhood. Similarly, external pressures to succeed can drive individuals to unethical behavior, yet this again does not relate to the internal rationalization stemming from feelings of victimization.