This explains the notorious confirmation bias. This bias is apparent not only when people are actually arguing but also when they are reasoning proactively with the perspective of having to defend their opinions.
And overcoming bias could also be motivated by wanting to persuade. It's covering your bases in case the person you're trying to persuade is aware of confirmation bias.
I'd hate for this paper to become support for the idea that you should just go by your gut and not by reason. It looked like this study only looked at highly subjective topics, which jam is better, which poster/car/jelly bean is better. Those are largely subject to taste, and are much different subjects than something like economics or science.
And overcoming bias could also be motivated by wanting to persuade. It's covering your bases in case the person you're trying to persuade is aware of confirmation bias.
I'd hate for this paper to become support for the idea that you should just go by your gut and not by reason. It looked like this study only looked at highly subjective topics, which jam is better, which poster/car/jelly bean is better. Those are largely subject to taste, and are much different subjects than something like economics or science.