Naslov
Directionality of conditionals in the context of visual priming

Autori
Bajšanski, Igor ; Valerjev, Pavle ; Gulan, Tanja

Izvornik
Review of psychology (1330-6812) 20 (2013), 1; 61-68

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
reasoning; conditionals; directionality of conditionals; visual priming; mental models

Sažetak
The theory of mental models is used to explain the differences in the effectiveness when deriving different types of conclusions such as modus ponens (MP) and modus tollens (MT). This difference is seen as a result of different number of mental models that are required in order to construct a valid conclusion. The theory explains mental models as a type of mental representations that can have abstract content, but can also contain perceptive and spatial information. These models are content and context sensitive, e.g., directionality of the conditionals affects the effectiveness of conclusions alongside the number of models required. Contemporary studies have shown that many cognitive processes (e.g., the understanding of sentences) have a significant perceptual basis. Research presented here tested the possibility of perceptual grounding of deductive reasoning. Prime stimulus served as a context for mental model construction. The direction of conditionals (either the antecedent preceded the consequent or vice versa) and spatial orientation expressed in the content of the conditional have been used as critical perceptual features. A four-factor experiment was carried out with perceptual priming, conditional direction, and the conclusion type manipulated as independent factors. The participants’ task was to decide as quickly as possible whether the presented conditional conclusion was right or wrong. Visual priming, as well as conditional directionality, showed a significant effect on both MP and MT types of conclusions. It is interesting that the effect of perceptual priming for MT was in the opposite direction when compared to the MP one. These findings support the assumption that mental models could be perceptually grounded. It also implies that mental models can be manipulated through the perceptive context.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

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