Mental Models for the Negation of Conjunctions and Disjunctions
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Macbeth, Guillermo
Razumiejczyk, Eugenia
Crivello, María del Carmen
Bolzán, Claudia
Girardi, Carolina Iris Pereyra
Campitelli, Guillermo
Abstract / Description
This study investigates why reasoning that involves negation is extremely difficult. We presented participants with reasoning problems containing sentences with negation of conjunctions and disjunctions in order to test predictions derived from the Mental Models Theory of human thought. According to this theory, reasoning consists of representing and comparing possibilities. Different sentential forms would require different cognitive demands. In particular, responses to a sentential negation task would be modulated by working memory load. This prediction would hold for correct responses but also for the general pattern of responses that includes incorrect responses when the task offers different response options. A within-subjects experimental design with selection paradigm was applied to test these predictions. Experimental comparisons and a complementary descriptive study yielded evidence consistent with the theory-driven predictions derived from the Mental Models Theory. The working memory load was critical for the modulation of correct responses and overall responses. We discussed alternative accounts, and suggested additional predictions for further evaluation of these phenomena.
Keyword(s)
mental models sentential reasoning negation conjunction disjunction working memoryPersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2014-02-28
Journal title
Europe's Journal of Psychology
Volume
10
Issue
1
Page numbers
135–149
Publisher
PsychOpen GOLD
Publication status
publishedVersion
Review status
peerReviewed
Is version of
Citation
Macbeth, G., Razumiejczyk, E., Crivello, M. d. C., Bolzán, C., Girardi, C. I. P., & Campitelli, G. (2014). Mental Models for the Negation of Conjunctions and Disjunctions. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 10(1), 135–149. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v10i1.696
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Macbeth, Guillermo
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Razumiejczyk, Eugenia
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Crivello, María del Carmen
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Bolzán, Claudia
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Girardi, Carolina Iris Pereyra
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Author(s) / Creator(s)Campitelli, Guillermo
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PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2018-11-21T09:59:05Z
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Made available on2018-11-21T09:59:05Z
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Date of first publication2014-02-28
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Abstract / DescriptionThis study investigates why reasoning that involves negation is extremely difficult. We presented participants with reasoning problems containing sentences with negation of conjunctions and disjunctions in order to test predictions derived from the Mental Models Theory of human thought. According to this theory, reasoning consists of representing and comparing possibilities. Different sentential forms would require different cognitive demands. In particular, responses to a sentential negation task would be modulated by working memory load. This prediction would hold for correct responses but also for the general pattern of responses that includes incorrect responses when the task offers different response options. A within-subjects experimental design with selection paradigm was applied to test these predictions. Experimental comparisons and a complementary descriptive study yielded evidence consistent with the theory-driven predictions derived from the Mental Models Theory. The working memory load was critical for the modulation of correct responses and overall responses. We discussed alternative accounts, and suggested additional predictions for further evaluation of these phenomena.en_US
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Publication statuspublishedVersion
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Review statuspeerReviewed
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CitationMacbeth, G., Razumiejczyk, E., Crivello, M. d. C., Bolzán, C., Girardi, C. I. P., & Campitelli, G. (2014). Mental Models for the Negation of Conjunctions and Disjunctions. Europe's Journal of Psychology, 10(1), 135–149. https://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v10i1.696
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ISSN1841-0413
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Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/880
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Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.1072
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Language of contenteng
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PublisherPsychOpen GOLD
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Is version ofhttps://doi.org/10.5964/ejop.v10i1.696
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Keyword(s)mental modelsen_US
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Keyword(s)sentential reasoningen_US
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Keyword(s)negationen_US
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Keyword(s)conjunctionen_US
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Keyword(s)disjunctionen_US
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Keyword(s)working memoryen_US
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Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
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TitleMental Models for the Negation of Conjunctions and Disjunctionsen_US
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DRO typearticle
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Issue1
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Journal titleEurope's Journal of Psychology
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Page numbers135–149
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Volume10
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Visible tag(s)Version of Record