Proven

I've been pondering that perhaps the idiom "jumping to conclusions," is somewhat misleading. I think that perhaps "bridging to confirmations" is a more accurate understanding of the phenomenon. Information that appears provide evidence of what people already think is true is treated as definitive evidence and then provides a ready path between reality and that particular truth.

It's been said that the best way to get someone to believe something is to start with something that they already want to believe, and perhaps the willingness with which people can latch on to perceived proofs demonstrates this. But, of course, there is vindication is being correct, and so maybe this is just to be expected.