Glossary
Motivated reasoning
What is motivated reasoning?
Motivated reasoning is reasoning shaped by a person’s goals. In its directional form, it favors a desired conclusion through selective use or evaluation of information. A motivation to be accurate can instead encourage use of strategies thought most appropriate to the task.
Research foundation
Kunda’s 1990 review proposed that motivation affects the beliefs and reasoning strategies people access, construct, and evaluate. Desired conclusions remain constrained by the person’s ability to produce a justification that seems reasonable to them.
Illustrative example
A fan may scrutinize a decision against their team more closely than a similar decision in its favor. This illustrates a possible directional motive; disagreement about a replay alone does not establish it.
Limits
Motivated reasoning does not require conscious deception.