11. The Psychology of Proof

Question 1

The definition of proof is an a____ establishing a f____ or t____ ( = drawing an i____)

Answer 1

Argument establishing a fact or truth = drawing an inference

Question 2

What are four tasks related to proof?
1. E____
2. D____
3. P____
4. I____

Answer 2

1. Explanation
2. Diagnosis
3. Prediction
4. Imagination

Question 3

What are three types of inference?
1. D____
2. I____
3. A____

Answer 3

1. Deduction
2. Induction
3. Adbuction

Question 4

What is meant by deduction?
S____ i____

Answer 4

Specific interference

Question 5

What is meant by induction?
G____ i____

Answer 5

General inference

Question 6

What is meant by abduction?
“B____ e____ a____”

Answer 6

“Best explanation available”

Question 7

What are the three elements of deduction in the mind?
1. St____
2. Se____
3. St____

Answer 7

1. Structure (form)
2. Semantics (function)
3. Statistics (frequency)

Question 8

What is an assumption?
Individuals d____ c____ from p____ by applying rules of l____ to derive a s____ v____ i____

Answer 8

Individuals draw conclusions from premises by applying rules of logic to derive a single valid inference

Question 9

What are three types of inference as logical reasoning?
1. C____ s____
2. C____ i____
3. T____ i____

Answer 9

1. Classical syllogisms
2. Conditional inferences
3. Transitive inferences

Question 10

The mental models theory states that inferences are drawn by searching for p____ with no c____-e____

Answer 10

Possibilities
Counter-examples

Question 11

What three things are search for models constrained by?
1. Principle of t____
2. W____memory c____
3. P____ s____

Answer 11

1. Principle of truth
2. Working memory capacity
3. Procedural semantics

Question 12

What is meant by “Generation” and “Evaluation” in Ormerod & Richardson predictions?
G = flesh out a s____ m____ s____
E = c____ m____ s____

Answer 12

Generation = flesh out a single model set
Evaluation = compare model sets

Question 13

What is meant by information gain?
Information gain leads to r____ in u____

Answer 13

Information = reduction in uncertainty

Question 14

Reasoning is about expected i____ g____ –> u____

Answer 14

Information gain (“what if…”) –> utility

Question 15

What is meant by rarity?
Most events are rare compared with instances where…

Answer 15

Most events are rare compared with instances where they don’t occur

Question 16

Compare system 1 and system 2 in the dual system accounts
1 = f____, r____-driven, e____, prone to errors of “i____” decisions
2 = s____, i____-driven, e____, prone to errors of i____

Answer 16

System 1:
- Fast
- Recognition-driven
- Effortless
- Prone to errors of “illogical” decisions
System 2:
- Slower
- Inference-driven
- Effortful
- Prone to errors of incompletion