 |
| Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2008): |
Reasoning under time pressure. A study of causal conditional inference.
Full Abstract
In this study, we examine the role of beliefs in conditional inference in two experiments, demonstrating a robust tendency for people to make fewer inferences from statements they disbelieve, regardless of logical validity. The main purpose of this study was to test whether participants are able to inhibit this belief effect where it constitutes a bias. This is the case when participants are specifically instructed to assume the truth of the premises. However, Experiment 1 showed that the effect is no less marked than when this instruction is given, than when it is not, although higher ability participants did show slightly less influence of belief (Experiment 2). Contrary to the findings with syllogistic reasoning, use of speeded tasks had no effect on the extent of the belief bias (both experiments), although it did considerably reduce the numbers of inferences that were drawn overall. These findings suggest that the belief bias in conditional inference is less open to volitional control than that associated with syllogistic reasoning.
Author information
Author/s: Evans, Jonathan St B T (JS); Handley, Simon J (SJ); Bacon, Alison M (AM);
Affiliation: Centre for Thinking and Language, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK. j.evans(-atsign-)plymouth.ac.uk
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Journal: Experimental psychology (Exp Psychol), published in Germany. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2009-; vol 56 (issue 2) : pp 77-83
Dates: Created 2009/03/05; Completed 2009/05/28;
PMID: 19261582, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 5/28/2009, IMS Date: )
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):
Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.
This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.
MeSH headings (categories)
This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.
Related articles
This article has not been indexed for related articles as yet, however you can still use the live related article search links below.
See a large map of 100+ related articles.