Conditional Reasoning With False Premises Facilitates the Transition Between Familiar and Abstract Reasoning

Abstract reasoning is critical for science and mathematics, but is very difficult. In 3 studies, the hypothesis that alternatives generation required for conditional reasoning with false premises facilitates abstract reasoning is examined. Study 1 (n = 372) found that reasoning with false premises i...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Child development 2011-03, Vol.82 (2), p.646-660
Main Authors: Markovits, Henry, Lortie-Forgues, Hugues
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abstract Reasoning
Adolescent
Adolescents
Age Factors
Alternatives
Child
Child Development
Children
Children & youth
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive ability
Cognitive development
Concept Formation
Conditional reasoning
Deductive reasoning
Early Adolescents
Earth
EMPIRICAL ARTICLES
False premises
Female
Humans
Improvement
Inference
Logic
Logical antecedents
Logical form
Male
Mathematics
Memory recall
Neuropsychological Tests
Older children
Problem Solving
Psychology, Child
Reason
Reasoning
Science
Semantics
Students
Studies
Verbal Learning
Young Adult
Young Adults
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Summary:Abstract reasoning is critical for science and mathematics, but is very difficult. In 3 studies, the hypothesis that alternatives generation required for conditional reasoning with false premises facilitates abstract reasoning is examined. Study 1 (n = 372) found that reasoning with false premises improved abstract reasoning in 12- to 15-year-olds. Study 2 (n = 366) found a positive effect of simply generating alternatives, but only in 19-year-olds. Study 3 (n = 92) found that 9- to 11-year-olds were able to respond logically with false premises, whereas no such ability was observed in 6- to 7-year-olds. Reasoning with false premises was found to improve reasoning with semiabstract premises in the older children. These results support the idea that alternatives generation with false premises facilitates abstract reasoning.
ISSN:0009-3920
1467-8624
DOI:10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01526.x