Motivated Reasoning – A Cognitive Bias

A Cognitive Bias That Deeply Affects Scam Victims Especially During Recovery

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Authors:
•  Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Licensed Psychologist Specialty in Crime Victim Trauma Therapy, Neuropsychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Motivated reasoning is a cognitive bias where individuals interpret information to align with their desires or beliefs, often at the expense of objectivity.

Scam victims may rely on this bias to ignore red flags during the scam or rationalize decisions that go against their best interests. Even during recovery, motivated reasoning can lead them to overestimate their progress by focusing on minor successes and avoiding deeper emotional work.

Recognizing and addressing this bias is key to making informed decisions and achieving genuine recovery.
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