Think Better · 45 sec
Motivated reasoning
A compact thinking tool for spotting patterns and avoiding mistakes.
The useful idea
- The useful idea
Motivated reasoning is a mental process through which individuals access, construct, and evaluate their beliefs in response to new information or experiences where their biases cause them to arrive at
- How it works
While most people may be more likely to arrive at conclusions they want, such desires are generally constrained by the ability to construct a reasonable justification.
- Why it matters
Motivated reasoning may involve personal choices, such as continuing to smoke after encountering evidence of the health effects of tobacco, leading to personal justifications for doing so.
Why this matters
Use Motivated reasoning as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.
Try this
Use Motivated reasoning as a quick check before trusting your first conclusion.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Motivated reasoning?
- Why it matters
- How it works
- The useful idea — correct
Motivated reasoning is a mental process through which individuals access, construct, and evaluate their beliefs in response to new information or experiences where their biases cause them to arrive at