Motivated reasoning

What it is

Reasoning toward the conclusion we want, by scrutinising unwelcome evidence harshly and welcome evidence gently.

Example Finding endless flaws in a study you dislike and none in one you like.

Cognitive dissonance bias
Reducing dissonance is the motive that makes reasoning motivated.
Confirmation bias bias
Confirmation bias is one of the main tools of motivated reasoning.
Self-serving bias bias
Self-serving bias is motivated reasoning applied to credit and blame.
Appeal to consequences fallacy
Choosing a belief for its consequences rather than its evidence is motivated reasoning.
Appeal to motive fallacy
Accusing someone of motivated reasoning can be fair, but doing it instead of checking their evidence is an appeal to motive.
Belief bias bias
Accepting weak arguments for pleasing conclusions is the argument-judging side of motivated reasoning.
No true Scotsman fallacy
Redefining the group to dodge a counterexample is motivated reasoning applied to definitions.
Simple, pain-avoiding psychological denial bias
Denial is the extreme end of motivated reasoning.
Wishful thinking fallacy
Motivated reasoning is the process; wishful thinking is one result.
Falsification of history bias
We prefer a version of the past that flatters us.
Slothful induction fallacy
Explaining away overwhelming evidence as coincidence is motivated reasoning.