Oaksford, M. (Mike) and Chater, Nick (1994) A rational analysis of the selection task as optimal data selection. Psychological Review, 101 (4). pp. 608-631. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.101.4.608 ISSN 0033-295X.

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Abstract

Human reasoning in hypothesis-testing tasks like P. C. Wason's (1968) selection task has been depicted as prone to systematic biases. However, performance on this task has been assessed against a now outmoded falsificationist philosophy of science. Therefore, the experimental data is reassessed in the light of a Bayesian model of optimal data selection in inductive hypothesis testing. The model provides a rational analysis (J. R. Anderson, 1990) of the selection task that fits well with people's performance on both abstract and thematic versions of the task. The model suggests that reasoning in these tasks may be rational rather than subject to systematic bias.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions:	Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Behavioural Science Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Human behavior, Reasoning
Journal or Publication Title:	Psychological Review
Publisher:	American Psychological Association
ISSN:	0033-295X
Official Date:	October 1994
Dates:	Date Event October 1994 Published
Volume:	101
Number:	4
Page Range:	pp. 608-631
DOI:	10.1037/0033-295X.101.4.608
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published

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