3: The development of logical reasoning

1. 1 3: The development of logical reasoning Outline Piaget�s theory Conditional reasoning Limitations of the Piagetian view Research into conditional reasoning Analogical reasoning

2. 2 Piaget�s theory of logical development The sensory-motor period (0-2) action-based knowledge Period of concrete operations (7-11) symbolic knowledge (e.g., about transitivity) Period of formal operations (11-12) second-order reasoning hypothetico-deductive reasoning (e.g., pendulum task) ability to search for counter-examples scientific thinking

3. 3 �If�then� reasoning. Modus Ponens: If there is a p then there is a q, There is a p, Therefore, there is a q. Modus Tollens: If there is a p then there is a q, There is not a q, Therefore, there is not a p. Inhelder & Piaget (1955): �reasoning is nothing more than the propositional calculus itself�

4. 4 Challenges to the Piagetian view. Over the last 20 years the Piagetian view has been challenged by two lines of questioning: 1. Do adults really show formal operational competence at �if�then� reasoning? 2. Are young children really as bad at �if�then� reasoning as predicted by Piaget? The same factors that seem to help adults with �if�then� reasoning also seem to help children.

5. 5 �If�then� reasoning with the Wason selection task �If there is an A on one side of the card then there is a 3 on the other side of the card� Indicate those cards that need to be turned over to determine whether the rule is true or false.