Motivated Bias as Perceived Means Instrumentality

Abstract

A general model is introduced to account for the multiple findings from different lines of research related to the phenomena of motivated biases. Parameters and specific implications of the model are discussed with brief review of relevant empirical research. Of main focus of this paper is the parameter "residual cognitive resources". It is hypothesized that since biases can be difficult thus resource demanding, when residual cognitive resources are scares rather than ample there should be less bias. It is also hypothesized that residual resources should interact with the relative magnitude of the focal accuracy judgment goal versus directional background goal to determine the extent of motivated biases. Two current studies supporting these hypotheses are presented.