Year: 2003
Type: report
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study presents evidence for the role of working memory (WM) capacity in the retrieval and inhibition of counterexamples (alternatives and disablers) during everyday conditional reasoning.A total of 292 university students were given a measure of WMcapacity and a reasoning task with everyday, causal conditionals.Results show that the acceptance ratings of the logically valid Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens inferences follow a quadratic, U-shaped trend in function of WM-capacity, while acceptance ratings of the logically invalid Affirmation of the Consequent and Denial of the Antecedent inferences follow a negative linear trend.Findings support the claim that participants highest in WM-capacity spontaneously inhibit the disabler retrieval process during everyday reasoning.
Source: Lirias (KU Leuven)
Authors: Wim De Neys, Walter Schaeken, Géry d’Ydewalle
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2520534174