Motivated Reasoning

Motivated reasoning is the irrational circular Stocks and Flows where:

1. Beliefs are formed without vetting, we accept new information credulously
2. Beliefs shape our processing of new information
3. New information will be selected for that strengthens our belief and counter information will be iscredited.

Put another way, the way we process information is driven by the beliefs we hold, causing them to strengthen. Strengthed beliefs then drive how we process further information¹.

1. Duke, A. Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts. (Portfolio, New York, 2019).