motivated reasoning

noun

The phenomenon of seeking out rational arguments in favor of a conclusion already reached for non-rational (chiefly emotional) reasons.

“Instead of engaging in motivated reasoning, they prefer to see where the evidence leads them.”

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Meanings

nounmotivated reasoning (plural motivated reasonings)

plural motivated reasonings

  1. The phenomenon of seeking out rational arguments in favor of a conclusion already reached for non-rational (chiefly emotional) reasons.

    Instead of engaging in motivated reasoning, they prefer to see where the evidence leads them.

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 動機推理 /动机推理
  • 動機推理 /动机推理 (dòngjī tuīlǐ)phenomenon
Finnish tarkoitushakuinen päättely
  • tarkoitushakuinen päättelyphenomenon
German Motivated Reasoning
  • Motivated Reasoningphenomenon
Polish rozumowanie tendencyjne, rozumowanie umotywowane
  • rozumowanie tendencyjnephenomenon
  • rozumowanie umotywowanephenomenon
Cite this entry
APA

motivated reasoning. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/motivated%20reasoning

MLA

“motivated reasoning.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/motivated%20reasoning. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “motivated reasoning,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/motivated%20reasoning.

Source: motivated reasoning on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.