One of the major debates concerning the nature of inferential reasoning is between counterexample-based theories such as mental model theory and probabilistic theories. This study looks at conclusion updating after the addition of statistical information to examine the hypothesis that deductive reasoning cannot be explained by probabilistic inferences. In Study 1, participants were given an […]

The relation between reasoning and creativity remains a matter of debate in psychology. The present article considers one of the key components of creativity, divergent thinking. This form of thinking requires use of specific executive function resources: information retrieval from memory, inhibition and cognitive flexibility. A major theory of logical reasoning, mental models theory, and […]

Three studies examine the influence of varying the difficulty of reasoning on the extent of belief bias, while minimising the possibility that the manipulation would influence the way participants approach the task. Specifically, reasoning difficulty was manipulated by making variations in problem content, while maintaining all other aspects of the problems constant. In Study 1, […]