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The probability heuristics model of syllogistic reasoning
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Chater, Nick and Oaksford, M. (Mike) (1999) The probability heuristics model of syllogistic reasoning. Cognitive Psychology, 38 (2). pp. 191-258. doi:10.1006/cogp.1998.0696
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/cogp.1998.0696
Abstract
A probability heuristic model (PHM) for syllogistic reasoning is proposed. An informational ordering over quantified statements suggests simple probability based heuristics for syllogistic reasoning. The most important is the "min-heuristic": choose the type of the least informative premise as the type of the conclusion. The rationality of this heuristic is confirmed by an analysis of the probabilistic validity of syllogistic reasoning which treats logical inference as a limiting case of probabilistic inference. A meta-analysis of past experiments reveals close fits with PHM. PHM also compares favorably with alternative accounts, including mental logics, mental models, and deduction as verbal reasoning. Crucially, PHM extends naturally to generalized quantifiers, such as Most and Few, which have not been characterized logically and are, consequently, beyond the scope of current mental logic and mental model theories. Two experiments confirm the novel predictions of PHM when generalized quantifiers are used in syllogistic arguments. PHM suggests that syllogistic reasoning performance may be determined by simple but rational informational strategies justified by probability theory rather than by logic. (C) 1998 Academic Press.
Item Type: | Journal Item | ||||
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Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology | ||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School > Behavioural Science Faculty of Social Sciences > Warwick Business School |
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Journal or Publication Title: | Cognitive Psychology | ||||
Publisher: | Elsevier | ||||
ISSN: | 0010-0285 | ||||
Official Date: | March 1999 | ||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 38 | ||||
Number: | 2 | ||||
Number of Pages: | 68 | ||||
Page Range: | pp. 191-258 | ||||
DOI: | 10.1006/cogp.1998.0696 | ||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Published |
Data sourced from Thomson Reuters' Web of Knowledge
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