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Motivated Reasoning

Motivated reasoning is a cognitive process where individuals form conclusions based on their desires or emotions rather than on objective evidence. Essentially, people interpret information in a way that supports their preexisting beliefs or feelings. For example, if someone wants to believe a particular political viewpoint, they may selectively gather information that backs up that stance while disregarding contrary evidence. This bias can lead to distorted thinking and hinder critical evaluation, making it challenging for individuals to change their views even when faced with strong evidence to the contrary.

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    Motivated reasoning is the cognitive process by which people form conclusions based on their personal beliefs, desires, or emotional investments rather than objective evidence. When encountering information, individuals may selectively accept facts that align with their views while dismissing or downplaying contradictory evidence. This can lead to biased judgments and hinder critical thinking, as the desire to reach a particular outcome influences how we interpret information. Ultimately, motivated reasoning can affect decision-making and deepen divisions in opinions, especially in areas like politics, health, and social issues.