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Reasoning asymmetries do not invalidate theory-theory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2010

Karen Bartsch
Affiliation:
Psychology Department 3415, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071-3415. bartsch@uwyo.edutyoung14@uwyo.eduhttp://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/psychology/displayfaculty.asp?facultyid=1285
Tess N. Young
Affiliation:
Psychology Department 3415, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071-3415. bartsch@uwyo.edutyoung14@uwyo.eduhttp://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/psychology/displayfaculty.asp?facultyid=1285

Abstract

In this commentary we suggest that asymmetries in reasoning associated with moral judgment do not necessarily invalidate a theory-theory account of naïve psychological reasoning. The asymmetries may reflect a core knowledge assumption that human nature is prosocial, an assumption that heightens vigilance for antisocial dispositions, which in turn leads to differing assumptions about what is the presumed topic of conversation.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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