Motivated perception is seeing what you want to see. This is why two people can see the same thing and come away with a completely different perception. You see the world differently. This is dangerous because we can make wrong conclusions based on misguided perceptions.

". . . you have a vested interest in interpreting information in a way that suits your needs and protects your ego." -Sanju Pradeepa

What you want to be true.

We accept information that confirms our beliefs at face value

1. We subject contradictory information to critical evaluation.
2. ‌We interpret ambiguous information in a way that confirms what we want to believe.

Example

You believe what your political candidate says at face value but subject their opponent to critical evaluation.

What you need to be true.

Example

You drive past someone with car trouble. Your need to be justified in your actions will influence you to notice all the reasons why that was okay.

What we expect to happen leads us to notice certain details while ignoring others.

Example

You think your spouse is lazy. Your expectation of laziness will influence you to only notice things that directly affect you that are not being done. Meanwhile, you will subconsciously ignore the things they are accomplishing.

Your perception of a situation will tend to correspond to your emotional state or emotional interest.

Example

You’re having a rough day; everything is going wrong. Someone comes up to you and asks if they can help. Your negative emotions will influence your perception of what they are saying. You will probably feel ridiculed and think they are implying you’re not capable of handling the situation.

1. We accept information that confirms our beliefs at face value
2. We subject contradictory information to critical evaluation.
3. ‌We interpret ambiguous information in a way that confirms what we want to believe.
4. We will notice specific details while ignoring others
5. We filter out information that contradicts our desires or attitudes.
6. When we want or expect to see something in a particular way, we tend to do so.
7. When we’re in a particular emotional state, we tend to attend to information that matches that state selectively.
8. We tend to interpret events and social cues in a way that confirms what we’re already feeling.

1. Your reaction to information will tell you a lot about your own motivations.
2. Ask yourself why you are reacting this way. Can you prove your thinking with verifiable evidence?
3. Research both sides of the issue, including advocates and rebuttals. What are their most vital points? How are they rebutted? Don’t focus on weak arguments.
4. Use primary sources when feasible. Understand the limitations of secondary sources.
5. Listen for motivated perception on both sides.
6. Play skeptics advocate with information you agree with. Ask yourself how else you could see this information.
7. What is being assumed?
8. Could this be seen in a positive light?
9. Consider what was said or done, not how it is interpreted.
10. Consider the information in context.
11. How did both sides come to their conclusions?
12. Ensure both sides use the same definitions and discuss the same things.
13. Recognize that perception is subjective. We all see the world through the lens of our own experiences, beliefs, and biases.