PS2111: Reasoning II Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of mental models in reasoning?

To create an infinite number of possibilities

To represent only true possibilities given premise information (correct)

To negate the conclusion

To deny the antecedent and affirm the consequent

What inference rule is most commonly made in reasoning tasks with abstract materials?

Modus ponens (correct)

Modus tollens

Denial of the antecedent

Affirmation of the consequent

What is the outcome when no counterexamples are found in mental models?

The conclusion is valid (correct)

The conclusion is uncertain

The conclusion is rejected

The conclusion is invalid

What is the limitation of mental models that affects the creation of possibilities?

Limited WM capacity Signup and view all the answers

What is the conditional statement represented by the mental model 'If I attend all of my lectures then I will do well on my exam'?

Material implication Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of deductive reasoning in conditional reasoning?

Valid and invalid inferences Signup and view all the answers

What is the conclusion that can be drawn from the premises 'If I attend all of my lectures then I will do well on my exam!' and 'I attend all of my lectures'?

I will do well on my exam Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct inference from the premises 'If I attend all of my lectures then I will do well on my exam!' and 'I do not attend all of my lectures'?

I may or may not do well on my exam Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct inference from the premises 'If I attend all of my lectures then I will do well on my exam!' and 'I do well on my exam'?

I may or may not have attended all of my lectures Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of deductive reasoning?

It involves drawing conclusions with certainty Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the theory that describes the two systems of thinking involved in logical reasoning?

Dual systems theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assumption of the mental models approach to reasoning?

Humans use deductive reasoning in a majority of cases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the Modus ponens argument form?

Attend lectures, and do well. Attend lectures, therefore do well. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary limitation of the mental models approach to reasoning?

It assumes more deductive reasoning occurs than actually does Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the affirmation of the consequent fallacy?

Do well, therefore attend lectures. Signup and view all the answers

What is the predicted rate of accuracy of the mental models approach in predicting human responses?

95% Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Reasoning II: Deductive Reasoning

Focuses on conditional reasoning and valid and invalid inferences
Mental model theory is a key concept in reasoning
Influencing logical reasoning involves the role of prior knowledge and belief bias
Dual systems theories of thinking, including the heuristic-analytic theory, are important in reasoning

Deductive Reasoning

Reasoning to a conclusion from a set of premises or statements where that conclusion follows necessarily from the assumption that the premises are true
Conclusion can be drawn with certainty based on formal logic
Examples of logical reasoning include:
- If I attend all of my lectures then I will do well on my exam! (Major Premise)
- I attend all of my lectures (Minor Premise)
  - Conclusion: I will do well on my exam
- If I attend all of my lectures then I will do well on my exam! (Major Premise)
- I do not attend all of my lectures (Minor Premise)
  - Conclusion: Cannot conclude I will do well on my exam
- If I attend all of my lectures then I will do well on my exam! (Major Premise)
- I do well on my exam (Minor Premise)
  - Conclusion: Cannot conclude I attended all of my lectures

Valid and Invalid Inferences

Valid inferences require 1 model:
- Modus ponens: attend lectures → do well
- Modus tollens: not do well → not attend lectures
Invalid inferences require 2 models:
- Denial of the antecedent: not attend lectures → do well
- Affirmation of the consequent: do well → attend lectures

Mental Models

Evaluation:
- Strengths: predictions have been confirmed experimentally, and can predict participants' responses to a rate of 95% accuracy (Khemlani & Johnson-Laird, 2012)
- Weaknesses: assume more deductive reasoning occurs than actually does, underspecification of the process involved in mental model formation, and do not account for ambiguous reasoning problems

Influencing Reasoning

Implies the biconditional 'If and only if...'
Reasoning tasks with abstract materials → most make valid modus ponens (MP) inference, fewer make valid modus tollens (MT) inference, and many make the invalid denial of the antecedent (DA) and affirmation of the consequent (AC) inferences

Theories of Reasoning

Mental model theory (e.g., Johnson-Laird, 1983):
- Mental models represent possibilities given premise information
- Only true possibilities are represented (principle of truth)
- Alternative models are created to identify counterexamples, but if no counterexamples are found, then the conclusion is valid
- Limited WM capacity means that sometimes not all possible models are created

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Description

Test your understanding of Reasoning II, covering topics such as deductive reasoning, conditional reasoning, mental model theory, and the role of prior knowledge in reasoning. Explore the concepts of belief bias, dual systems theories, and the feeling of rightness in reasoning.