Cognitive Science and Reasoning

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary advantage of using a positive test strategy in hypothesis testing?

To economically search for information and diagnose problems

What does it imply when a hypothesis is not supported in a practical report analysis?

All of the above are possible implications

What is a key characteristic of abstract tasks used to investigate reasoning?

They control for extraneous variables and background knowledge

What is a common strategy employed in hypothesis testing to avoid confirmation bias?

Considering alternative hypotheses Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of Popper's emphasis on falsification?

It oversimplifies the concept of confirmation bias Signup and view all the answers

In the context of hypothesis testing, what is the primary goal of removing caffeine to observe its effect on insomnia?

To falsify the hypothesis that caffeine causes insomnia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following design flaws can lead to incorrect hypothesis testing?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of hypothesis falsification?

To disprove a hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential advantage of using real-world environments for hypothesis testing?

More realistic and applicable results Signup and view all the answers

According to Klayman and Ha (1987), what is the primary driver of hypothesis testing strategies?

Information Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of counterfactual thinking in hypothesis testing?

To facilitate iterative refinement of hypotheses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of confirmation bias in hypothesis testing?

Decreased accuracy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of falsification as a hypothesis testing strategy?

To attempt to disprove a hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive bias is characterized by selectively seeking information that confirms one's existing beliefs?

Confirmation bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of Wason's 2-4-6 task?

It is susceptible to confirmation bias Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic that distinguishes scientific from unscientific activities?

The potential for falsification Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of hypothesis testing in scientific inquiry?

To test the validity of a hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a flawed research design?

Only considering evidence that supports a hypothesis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Hypothesis Testing

A positive test strategy can lead to conclusive falsification if the circumstances are right.
In hypothesis testing, a positive test strategy involves actively seeking evidence to disconfirm a hypothesis.

Hypothesis Testing in Science

In a scientific experiment, if a hypothesis is not supported, it could mean:
- The hypothesis is incorrect
- There is a problem with the design
- There is a problem with the data
Hypothesis testing is not limited to laboratory settings; it can be applied to real-life scenarios.

Real-World Applications of Hypothesis Testing

Example: Testing the hypothesis that insomnia is caused by caffeine; a positive test strategy would involve removing caffeine to see if it solves the insomnia.

Importance of Control in Hypothesis Testing

Control is essential in hypothesis testing to remove extraneous variables and ensure that all participants have the same information.
This allows for targeted manipulation of task aspects and examination of context impact.

Critique of Popper's Emphasis on Falsification

Popper's emphasis on falsification is oversimplified; it is more appropriate to think of it as a positive test strategy rather than confirmation bias.

Inductive Reasoning

Inductive reasoning involves forming generalizations from examples or sample phenomena; these generalizations may be probable but not certain.

Wason's 2-4-6 Task

Participants are asked to discover a rule by generating number triples; only 21% of participants correctly discovered the rule with their first triple.
This task demonstrates the confirmation bias, as participants tend to seek evidence that verifies their hypothesis rather than searching for evidence that might disconfirm it.

Confirmation Bias

Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek or give more weight to evidence that confirms one's existing beliefs, while ignoring or downplaying evidence that contradicts them.
Examples of confirmation bias include:
- A student only searching for information that confirms their research paper hypothesis
- A reporter only interviewing experts who support their views on an issue

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