Wason Study Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What was the aim of the study?

To investigate the heuristic of confirmation bias (correct)

To analyze the effects of numerical data

To explore social influences in decision making

To study emotional responses in reasoning

What research method was used in the Wason study?

Lab Experiment

What question were participants asked during the Wason Selection Task?

Which card(s) must be turned over to test the idea that if a card shows an even number on one face, then its opposite face is red?

What were the cards shown in the task?

3, 8, red, and brown Signup and view all the answers

What incorrect answer did most participants give?

Turn over the cards with number 8 and the red card Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct answer for the card selection?

Turn over the number 8 card and the brown card Signup and view all the answers

What type of thinking did Wason argue participants relied on?

System 1 type thinking Signup and view all the answers

What is required for the logical reasoning task according to Wason?

System 2 type thinking Signup and view all the answers

Were there any major ethical considerations in the Wason study?

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Aim

Investigated confirmation bias and logical reasoning errors.
Focused on how heuristics affect decision-making in logical tasks.

Procedure

Conducted as a lab experiment.
Participants performed the Wason Selection Task involving cards displaying numbers and colors.
Asked to determine which cards needed to be flipped to test the rule: "If a card shows an even number on one face, then its opposite face is red."
Cards presented included: 3, 8, red, and brown.

Results

Most participants incorrectly chose to flip the cards showing 8 and red.
Less than 10% provided the correct selections: the 8 card and the brown card.

Implications

Incorrect choices linked to heuristics, notably matching bias.
Influenced by contextual wording like "even number" and "red."
Quick and intuitive errors characterized as System 1 thinking.
Task required deliberate analysis and logical reasoning, or System 2 thinking.

Ethical Considerations

Study presented no major ethical issues.

Evaluation

Limited details provided; further evaluation not specified.

Description

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from Wason's 1968 study on confirmation bias and logical reasoning. It includes definitions and explanations of the study's aim and procedure, particularly the Wason Selection Task. Ideal for psychology students looking to understand heuristics and experimental methods.