Chapter 1. Wason Selection Task

1.1 Introduction

Cognitive Tool Kit
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Wason Selection Task

Do you reason correctly? Since this is a cognitive psychology class you can probably predict that we will tell you that you don’t. In this experiment, we will examine a particular aspect of reasoning: hypothesis testing. You will be given a rule and asked to determine if it is true. You will be asked to check some cards to test the rule; that is, the cards allow you to collect evidence. The question is how you will select the evidence that will allow you to determine if the rule is correct.

References:

Margolis, H. (1987). Patterns, Thinking, and Cognition: A Theory of Judgment. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.

Wason, P. C. (1966). Reasoning. In B. Foss (ed.), New Horizons in Psychology. London: Penguin.

1.2 Experiment Setup

Figure 1.1

1.3 Instructions

Instructions

You will be given both instructions and a rule to test. To do this, you will be shown four cards. Each card will have a letter on one side, and a number on the other side. Two of the cards have the letter-side face up, and two have the letter-side face down.

Read the instructions carefully for how to test the rule and rule on each screen to properly complete the task.

1.4 Experiment

Begin Experiment

Figure 1.2

1.5 Results

Results

Figure 1.3

1.6 Quiz

Quiz

Question 1.1

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1
Correct.
Incorrect.
The independent variable is the value that is changed by the experimenter. In this experiment, this variable is the type of instructions you were given.

Question 1.2

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1
Correct.
Incorrect.
The dependent variable is the value the experimenter collects to indicate how you performed in the experiment. In this case, this variable is the cards chosen by you.

Question 1.3

X4Hc4wXipgwk177Hc4/xG+UysNxEEsaYS3zvZO1NwFbG7SGPiEhaaW25DkhAmHfB4XPsaFxhrZN3Cz4xYW1lrttz04/hH5/hfG+IxaNvmP0VY65EQyXusZoglNQ9DjfmVSRaqtYDlk1t2qlf9pQwhH+vz4+4JBw2C8OlZuD40VYtlZzUlnN6f9oGifgMxB3y4VMTCG84ynMoXcWUCT747beNltQ5tt1NOF2/AT3pl28IRBT5cH8ykP6uZ7J3+odI3JjjmS9Du25Rh3dmLUzCCZABAbMQrUAQNQPmfRAD/oK1T3jwAJ6FfNlHOfhW1HkJF6NCZ07E3mlYOeJgLKsPW9v19q1dk3ZP29ZoDxHFhwALU9DbUT4yNCbMPmwtro1EXB/dcB5b/kh/0Q3Pf/iqlh5VZpR/GvpNSUDQ+RUJ1UDSwuD+eaAYZi62Cq5pWA3S0eK2GXySlGH5edC23dldC+kVEJE=
1
Correct.
Incorrect.
This experiment has people in only one condition, and they were randomly assigned to that condition. Thus, the correct answer is that every person was randomly assigned to one condition, a between-subjects design.

Question 1.4

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1
Correct.
Incorrect.
Confirmation bias is the tendency to look for information that supports a hypothesis.

Question 1.5

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1
Correct.
Incorrect.
It is given the symbol of p since it is in the first part of the rule and it is the card that has the same letter as in the rule.