motivated reasoning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motivated reasoning" is a correct and usable phrase in English.
It is used to describe the idea of interpreting facts in a way that is biased by emotionally-driven motivations. For example, You can observe motivated reasoning when a person cherry-picks facts that support their own opinion while ignoring facts that contradict it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Partisanship induces motivated reasoning.

The New Yorker

And Thus, strong political partisans are likely to employ motivated reasoning when exposed to messages about climate change with ideological predispositions moderating information effects on policy attitudes.

The Guardian

As expected, the participants exhibited high levels of what social scientists call "motivated reasoning".

Science Magazine

Four processes of social cognition are reviewed including: (1) cognitive architecture; (2) automaticity and control; (3) motivated reasoning; and (4) accessibility, frames, and expectations.

NeuroImage

This paper adopts the Goal-Based Choice Model to predict conditions under which task interruption will: (1) exacerbate accountants' motivated reasoning, introducing bias into their professional judgments, and (2) reduce performance on the interrupting task.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

There's a relevant term in cognitive science called "motivated reasoning", where the person unconsciously seeks to retain a certain belief even when presented with evidence to the contrary.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Of course, they may be motivated by reasoning, or other cognitive processes, but that is also true of paradigmatic examples of noncognitive moral enhancement: for example, the direct pharmaceutical modulation of emotion.

Bioethics

Because it's typically not in the minority party's interest to compromise with the majority party on big bills — elections are a zero-sum game, where the majority wins if the public thinks it has been doing a good job — Washington's motivated-reasoning machine is likely to kick into gear on most major issues.

The New Yorker

The fictionalism that would seem to be motivated by this reasoning is use fictionalism.

SEP

We present a new system for causal reasoning, motivated action theory, which builds upon causation as a crucial preference criterion.

Artificial Intelligence

This reasoning motivated our choice of considering moderate alcohol drinkers, as the reference category throughout this work.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex social or political issues, be mindful of "motivated reasoning" and acknowledge potential biases in your own analysis. This adds credibility and demonstrates critical thinking.

Common error

Don't assume that others will be persuaded by facts alone. "Motivated reasoning" suggests people interpret information to fit pre-existing beliefs, so tailor your arguments to address their underlying motivations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motivated reasoning" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a cognitive process where reasoning is influenced by pre-existing motivations and biases. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motivated reasoning" is a widely recognized and frequently used noun phrase that describes the cognitive process of interpreting information in a biased manner to align with pre-existing beliefs or motivations. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct and employed across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. Its implications are significant, affecting decision-making, political polarization, and even scientific understanding. When writing about "motivated reasoning", remember to acknowledge potential biases, avoid assuming rationality in others, and actively seek diverse perspectives. Understanding and addressing "motivated reasoning" is essential for promoting more objective and informed discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

biased reasoning

Focuses on the bias aspect, omitting the motivation.

self-serving cognition

Highlights the self-interest driving the cognitive process.

confirmation bias in action

Emphasizes how confirmation bias is actively used.

emotionally driven reasoning

Points out the emotional basis of the reasoning.

goal-oriented thinking

Underscores the purpose behind the thought process.

wishful thinking

Implies a desire-influenced belief formation.

rationalization

Focuses on justifying actions or beliefs post-hoc.

selective perception

Highlights the filtering of information to align with existing beliefs.

cognitive dissonance reduction

Explains the motivation as reducing mental discomfort.

identity-protective cognition

Explains the maintenance of self-identity through cognition.

FAQs

How does "motivated reasoning" affect decision-making?

"Motivated reasoning" leads individuals to selectively interpret information to support pre-existing beliefs, potentially leading to irrational or biased decisions. This can be observed in various contexts, including politics, science, and personal relationships. Recognizing this bias is key to making more objective choices.

What's the difference between "motivated reasoning" and confirmation bias?

"Motivated reasoning" is a broader concept encompassing the emotional and psychological motivations behind biased reasoning. "Confirmation bias" is a specific type of motivated reasoning where individuals seek out information confirming their existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence. Motivated reasoning explains why confirmation bias occurs.

How can I reduce the effects of "motivated reasoning" in my own thinking?

To mitigate "motivated reasoning", actively seek diverse perspectives, critically evaluate your own assumptions, and be open to changing your mind when presented with compelling evidence. Practicing "intellectual humility" can also help.

What are some alternative phrases for "motivated reasoning"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "biased reasoning", "self-serving cognition", or "emotionally driven reasoning" to convey a similar meaning.