Final answer:
Motivated reasoning is a cognitive bias where a person prefers information that supports their desired beliefs, often evident in the judgment of others' motivations, such as with actor-observer bias.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept you are referring to is known as motivated reasoning. This is a cognitive bias where individuals favor information that aligns with their desired conclusions over information that might challenge their preexisting beliefs. It often manifests in politics as well as other areas, where people might believe that those who align with their political views are motivated by noble reasons while opposing views are seen as selfish or corrupt.
For instance, actor-observer bias is a related concept where individuals attribute their actions to situational factors, but others' actions to dispositional factors. Both motivated reasoning and actor-observer bias demonstrate how our social cognition, or judgments about the motivations of others' behaviors, can be skewed by our desires and biases.
In the realm of social psychology, understanding these biases helps to explain the dynamics of personal relationships, group interactions, and broader societal and political attitudes.