Which doctrine explains the reduction from murder to voluntary manslaughter when the defendant's self-defense was imperfect?

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Imperfect self-defense explains why a murder charge can be reduced to voluntary manslaughter when the defendant’s belief that they faced imminent harm is honestly held but unreasonable. Because the fear was not reasonable, the defendant lacks the fully justified state of mind needed for a complete self-defense defense. The result is that the act is still intentional but not at the level of malice required for murder, so the jury or judge may convict only of voluntary manslaughter.

If the belief had been reasonable, the act could be fully justified (or the defendant acquitted of murder). The other doctrines don’t fit this scenario: perfect self-defense would completely excuse the killing, duress involves being forced to commit a crime under threat, and the castle doctrine concerns defense of one’s home, not a reduction in culpability from imperfect self-defense.