A Transitive-Chain Theory of Syllogistic Reasoning.

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Abstract:

The transitive-chain theory of syllogistic reasoning proposes that 1 information about set relations is represented in memory by pairs of informational components and 2 information about set relations is integrated by applying a small set of rules to transitive chains that are formed by rearranging informational components stored in memory. The method of rearranging informational components into transitive chains and the rules applied to these chains are specified. The transitive-chain theory is compared to several earlier theories, each of which is cast in terms of an information-processing model. Mathematical models that quantify each of these information-processing models are presented. In a series of five experiments, the transitive-chain theory provides a good account of the response-choice data for syllogisms with various types of content, quantifiers, and logical relations categorical and conditional. Results of these experiments offer tentative answers to five major issues in syllogistic reasoning theory 1 Generality of the processes used in syllogistic reasoning 2 Relationship of syllogistic reasoning ability to intelligence 3 Representation of and 4 Combination of premise information and 5 Sources of difficulty in syllogistic reasoning.

Author(s):
Guyote, Martin J. ; Sternberg, Robert J.
Author Organization(s):
YALE UNIV NEW HAVEN CT DEPT OF PSYCHOLOGY
Descriptive Note:
Periodic technical rept. no. 5, 1 Jan-30 Mar 78,
Pagination:
0138

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
RR-5-78
Contract/Grant Number(s):
N00014-78-C-0025
Task Number(s):
RR0420401
Project Number(s):
RR04204
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_2_Battlespace Awareness; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_2.3_Processing and Exploitation; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_5.5.2_Task; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_8.1_Communicate; JCA_8.1.3_Influence Adversary and Competitor Audiences; JCA_8.2.5_Strengthen Global Defense Posture; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_6.4.1_Secure Information Exchange; JCA_1.4_Force Support; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management
Modernization Areas:
Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
*REASONING, *LOGIC, INTELLIGENCE, MEMORY(PSYCHOLOGY), THEORY, INFORMATION PROCESSING
Field(s)/Group(s):
Psychology
Keyword(s):
Syllogistisms, Deductive reasoning, WUNR150412, PE61153N
Report Date:
1978 Apr 01