The Mental Models Theory of Reasoning Refinements and Extensions

The Mental Models Theory of Reasoning presents theoretical and empirical research on an area of growing interest, the status of mental models in deductive reasoning. As research in the framework of the mental models theory flourishes, this book answers a need to assess the contribution of the notion of training and content. It covers the central issues of propositional, relational, causal and probabilistic reasoning, and argumentation and development. In addition, this work presents data regarding strategies, argumentation, and the development of reasoning. Special features of this text include:*sharp theoretical analyses as well as important new empirical data offered by theorists who work in the framework of the mental models theory;*a critical and empirically driven account of content effects in conditional and linear reasoning; and*an original account on the influence of pragmatics on reasoning.The Mental Models Theory of Reasoning will be of interest to researchers and advanced students of cognitive psychology, and will be valuable to individuals working in Artificial Intelligence, as it highlights theoretical and empirical data on how humans use mental models when tackling deductive puzzles.

Contents: Preface. P. Barrouillet, N. Grosset, Memory Retrieval and Content Effects in Conditional Reasoning: A Developmental Mental Models Account. S. Handley, A. Feeney, Representation, Pragmatics, and Process in Model-Based Reasoning. R.M.J. Byrne, Whether, Although, and Other Conditionals. J. St. B.T. Evans, D.E. Over, S.J. Handley, Rethinking the Model Theory of Conditionals. M.J. Roberts, Mental Models and Falsification: It Depends on the Task. V. Dierckx, A. Vandierendonck, Modeling Something That Is Believed to Be False: The Competition of Scripts and Models in Linear Reasoning. W. Schaeken, J-B. Van der Henst, W. Schroyens, The Mental Models Theory of Relational Reasoning: Premises' Relevance, Conclusions' Phrasing, and Cognitive Economy. V. Girotto, M. Gonzalez, Extensional Reasoning About Chances. P.N. Johnson-Laird, E. Goldvarg-Steingold, Models of Cause and Effect. D.W. Green, A Mental Model Theory of Informal Argument. K.C. Klauer, T. Meiser, Training Effects in Deductive Reasoning: A Theory-Based Review.

Schaeken, Walter; Vandierendonck, Andre; Schroyens, Walter; d'Ydewalle, Gery; Klauer, Karl C.