Motivated reasoning

Definition

Motivated reasoning is the cognitive process where individuals interpret information in a way that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, desires, or motivations, often leading to biased conclusions. This phenomenon can affect how people assess evidence and make decisions, making it difficult for them to engage in objective analysis and potentially resulting in distorted self-understanding and the reinforcement of intellectual vices.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Motivated reasoning can lead individuals to dismiss evidence that contradicts their beliefs while accepting information that supports them, creating an echo chamber effect.
2. This cognitive bias can have significant epistemic consequences, such as reinforcing ignorance or fostering dogmatism, where individuals become resistant to new information.
3. People often engage in motivated reasoning unconsciously, believing they are being rational and objective when, in fact, their judgments are influenced by their motivations.
4. In the realm of self-knowledge, motivated reasoning can result in individuals misinterpreting their own thoughts and feelings in ways that protect their self-image.
5. Understanding motivated reasoning is crucial for critical thinking and improving one’s ability to evaluate arguments and evidence fairly.

Review Questions

• How does motivated reasoning contribute to the development of intellectual vices?
  • Motivated reasoning contributes to intellectual vices by allowing individuals to selectively engage with information that confirms their beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence. This selective engagement can foster dogmatism, where one clings to false or outdated beliefs because it feels comfortable. As a result, individuals may become resistant to reconsidering their views or accepting new information, leading to a cycle of ignorance and diminished critical thinking.
• In what ways can motivated reasoning impact self-knowledge and self-perception?
  • Motivated reasoning significantly impacts self-knowledge as individuals may misinterpret their own motivations and feelings to align with their existing beliefs. This can create a distorted self-perception, where individuals might believe they are more rational or open-minded than they actually are. Such distortions can prevent people from gaining accurate insights into themselves, leading to poor decision-making and difficulty in personal growth.
• Evaluate the implications of motivated reasoning on societal discourse and decision-making processes.
  • Motivated reasoning has profound implications for societal discourse and decision-making by creating polarized viewpoints that hinder productive discussions. When groups engage in motivated reasoning, they often talk past each other, reinforcing divides rather than seeking common ground. This can lead to poor policy decisions based on biased interpretations of data, ultimately affecting democratic processes and social cohesion as citizens become entrenched in their opposing views.

Related terms

confirmation bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one’s preconceptions, while ignoring contradictory evidence.

cognitive dissonance: The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs or values, which often leads to a motivation to reduce that discomfort by changing beliefs or attitudes.

self-deception:

The act of deceiving oneself to avoid acknowledging uncomfortable truths, often leading to a distorted view of reality.