Oberauer, Klaus; Wilhelm, Oliver; Rosas Diaz, Ricardo:
Bayesian rationality for the Wason selection task? A test of optimal data selection theory.
In: Thinking and Reasoning, Jg. 5 (1999), Heft 2, S. 115 - 144
1999Artikel/Aufsatz in Zeitschrift
PsychologieFakultät für Bildungswissenschaften » Institut für Psychologie
Titel:
Bayesian rationality for the Wason selection task? A test of optimal data selection theory.
Autor*in:
Oberauer, Klaus;Wilhelm, OliverUDE
LSF ID
51793
Sonstiges
der Hochschule zugeordnete*r Autor*in
;
Rosas Diaz, Ricardo
Erscheinungsjahr:
1999

Abstract:

Used 3 experiments to test the rarity effects that optimal data selection theory predicts for performance on the Wason selection task. In Experiment 1, 237 school and college students (aged 13-34 years) worked on Wason selection tasks in which expected frequencies of the p and the q cards were manipulated independently by concepts referring to large vs small sets. Results showed an effect of the manipulation on card selection frequencies, but only a weak correlation between predicted and observed patterns. Experiment 2 manipulated the subjective probability of card occurrence through information on frequencies in the card population. The 124 college students (mean age 20.3 years) also had to estimate probabilities. Results showed strong effects of manipulations that were, however, unrelated to card selections. Experiment 3 replicated this finding in 113 secondary school students (mean age 17.7 years). It is concluded that results provide little support for optimal data selection theory.