Scout mindset uses thought experiments to test for motivated reasoning

The scout mindset uses intentional thought experiments to clarify thinking and test for motivated reasoning (rather than “accuracy motivated reasoning”). These include:^[1]

• the double standard test: “Am I judging other people’s behavior by a standard I wouldn’t apply to myself?” The double standard test can be applied to groups as well as individuals.
• the outsider test: Imagine someone else stepped into your shoes—what do you expect they would do in your situation?
• the conformity test: Imagine this person told me that they no longer held this view. Would I still hold it? Would I feel comfortable defending it to them?
• the selective skeptic test: Imagine this evidence supported the other side. How credible would you find it then?
• the status quo bias test: a motivation to defend whatever situation happens to be the status quo.

#psychology #bias

See also:

• Scout mindset is the pursuit of truth
• Status quo bias favors the current state