Predicting the difficulty of complex logical reasoning problems
Thinking and Reasoning 12 (1):62 – 90 (2006)
| Abstract | The aim of the present research was to develop a difficulty model for logical reasoning problems involving complex ordered arrays used in the Graduate Record Examination. The approach used involved breaking down the problems into their basic cognitive elements such as the complexity of the rules used, the number of mental models required to represent the problem, and question type. Weightings for these different elements were derived from two experimental studies and from the reasoning literature. Based on these weights, difficulty models were developed which were then tested against new data. The models had excellent predictive validity and showed the relative influence of rule based factors and factors relating to the number of underlying models. Different difficulty models were needed for different question types, suggesting that people used a variety of approaches and, at a wider level, that both mental models and mental rules may be used in reasoning. | |||||||||
| Keywords | No keywords specified (fix it) | |||||||||
| Categories | No categories specified (fix it) | |||||||||
| Options |
|
|||||||||
Download options| PhilPapers Archive |
Upload a copy of this paper Check publisher's policy on self-archival Papers currently archived: 5,709 |
| External links |
 |
| Through your library | Configure |
Similar books and articlesEdward J. N. Stupple & Linden J. Ball (2008). Belief-Logic Conflict Resolution in Syllogistic Reasoning: Inspection-Time Evidence for a Parallel-Process Model. Thinking and Reasoning 14 (2):168 – 181.
Alison Bacon, Simon Handley & Stephen Newstead (2003). Individual Differences in Strategies for Syllogistic Reasoning. Thinking and Reasoning 9 (2):133 – 168.
Manuel Carreiras & Carlos Santamaria (1997). Reasoning About Relations: Spatial and Nonspatial Problems. Thinking and Reasoning 3 (3):191 – 208.
Nancy J. Nersessian (2006). Model-Based Reasoning in Distributed Cognitive Systems. Philosophy of Science 73 (5):699-709.
Jean-Baptiste Van der Henst (2002). Mental Model Theory Versus the Inference Rule Approach in Relational Reasoning. Thinking and Reasoning 8 (3):193 – 203.
Vicky Dierckx & Andr (2004). Plugging a Tooth Before Anaesthetising the Patient? The Influence of People's Beliefs on Reasoning About the Temporal Order of Actions. Thinking and Reasoning 10 (4):371 – 404.
Lyn D. English (1998). Children's Reasoning in Solving Relational Problems of Deduction. Thinking and Reasoning 4 (3):249 – 281.
Andre Vandierendonck (1996). Evidence for Mental-Model-Based Reasoning: A Comparison of Reasoning with Time and Space Concepts. Thinking and Reasoning 2 (4):249 – 272.
Simon J. Handley & Jonathan St B. T. Evans (2000). Supposition and Representation in Human Reasoning. Thinking and Reasoning 6 (4):273 – 311.
Analytics
Monthly downloads |
Added to index2009-01-28Total downloads14 ( #83,218 of 549,754 )Recent downloads (6 months)3 ( #25,807 of 549,754 )How can I increase my downloads? |
My notes
Discussion
