Masters of suspicion: A Bayesian decision model of motivated political reasoning

Motivated reasoning occurs when judgements subserve motives that go beyond accuracy seeking. Substantial evidence indicates motivated political is ubiquitous. This hard to reconcile with computational theories (following Marr's terminology, describing the fundamental principles underlying a cognitive process) like Bayesian inference, because these rely on maximization. Hence, often interpreted as violating principles. Here we propose different view by offering account of which relies notion decision (instead inference). The key idea utility maximization, and not drives thinking. implies agents will tend endorse serve their instrumental goals even in support poor (though still believe are most accurate). In this framework, principles, although its nature now conceived pragmatic (i.e., serving goals) rather than epistemic seeking understanding). paper presents mathematical description theory shows how can help interpreting important phenomena psychology such contextual priming, stereotyping, displaced aggression.