Geoffrey Cohen, a professor of psychology at Stanford, has shown how motivated reasoning can drive even the opinions of engaged partisans.

NEWYORKER: Unpopular Mandate

His mathematical reasoning now in high gear, no doubt nudged along by very motivated reasoning elsewhere in his brain, Gould soon convinced himself he would be a long-term survivor, a conclusion that would prove to be accurate.

FORBES: Do Oncologists Lie to Their Patients About Their Prognoses?

Their reasoning was motivated by the directives of Congress on maintaining reliable incentives for the invention of new and useful technologies.

FORBES: Connect

Or, as the psychologists would put it, their reasoning may be motivated by something other than accuracy.

NEWYORKER: Unpopular Mandate