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Jumping to conclusions predicts truncated searches even in uncongenial contexts.

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Title: Jumping to conclusions predicts truncated searches even in uncongenial contexts.
Authors: Hillman, James G. (AUTHOR), Burrows, Brooke (AUTHOR), Hauser, David J. (AUTHOR)
Source: Thinking & Reasoning. May2026, Vol. 32 Issue 2, p213-234. 22p.
Subjects: Information-seeking behavior, Cognitive bias, Defense mechanisms (Psychology), Human information processing, Cognitive psychology, Individual differences
Abstract: Jumping to conclusions (JTC) is the tendency to reach a conclusion after reviewing only minimal evidence. However, research on the ways in which this individual difference functions in motivated and unmotivated contexts is mixed. In the present research, we investigated whether JTC would predict evidence search in a context where defensive motivated processing is likely to emerge. In Study 1 participants (N = 383) completed a JTC measure then engaged in an iterative search for information to evaluate a gun-control non-profit. In Study 2 we conceptually replicated Study 1 with Democrat and Republican non-profits. Both studies found main effects of defensive processing and JTC but no interaction between predictors, suggesting that JTC is not due to lack of motivation. Defensive motivation increases search length for those high in JTC; however motivation is not sufficient to close the gap between high and low JTC individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Thinking & Reasoning is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Jumping to conclusions predicts truncated searches even in uncongenial contexts.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hillman%2C+James+G%2E%22">Hillman, James G.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Burrows%2C+Brooke%22">Burrows, Brooke</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hauser%2C+David+J%2E%22">Hauser, David J.</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Thinking+%26+Reasoning%22">Thinking & Reasoning</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 32 Issue 2, p213-234. 22p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information-seeking+behavior%22">Information-seeking behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+bias%22">Cognitive bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Defense+mechanisms+%28Psychology%29%22">Defense mechanisms (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+information+processing%22">Human information processing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cognitive+psychology%22">Cognitive psychology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Individual+differences%22">Individual differences</searchLink>
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  Data: Jumping to conclusions (JTC) is the tendency to reach a conclusion after reviewing only minimal evidence. However, research on the ways in which this individual difference functions in motivated and unmotivated contexts is mixed. In the present research, we investigated whether JTC would predict evidence search in a context where defensive motivated processing is likely to emerge. In Study 1 participants (N = 383) completed a JTC measure then engaged in an iterative search for information to evaluate a gun-control non-profit. In Study 2 we conceptually replicated Study 1 with Democrat and Republican non-profits. Both studies found main effects of defensive processing and JTC but no interaction between predictors, suggesting that JTC is not due to lack of motivation. Defensive motivation increases search length for those high in JTC; however motivation is not sufficient to close the gap between high and low JTC individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Thinking & Reasoning is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=193123592
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/13546783.2025.2536581
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 22
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      – SubjectFull: Information-seeking behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cognitive bias
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Defense mechanisms (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Human information processing
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      – SubjectFull: Cognitive psychology
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      – SubjectFull: Individual differences
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      – TitleFull: Jumping to conclusions predicts truncated searches even in uncongenial contexts.
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              Text: May2026
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              Y: 2026
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