A Probabilistic Interpretation of “If-Then”

1996 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 828-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
In-mao Liu ◽  
King-chung Lo ◽  
Jei-tun Wu

This study proposes that subjects interpret thematic conditionals (“if p then q”) probabilistically in solving conditional reasoning problems. Experiment 1 found that subjects’ correct responses increased with the perceived probability of q, given p for each of the four forms of conditional arguments: modus ponens (MP), modus tollens (MT), denial of the antecedent (DA), and affirmation of the consequent (AC). Experiment 2 ruled out two alternative explanations based on the comprehensibility of conditionals and on subjects interpreting conditionals as biconditionals. In Experiment 3, subjects solved two types of problems: (a) complete probabilistic problems, such as “If p then q; knowing p; how probable is q?”, and (b) reduced probabilistic problems, such as “Knowing p; how probable is q?” Two sources of information that determine the observable reasoning responses are identified. One source of information is based on one's general knowledge, and another is based on taking all premises into account.

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 839-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
James J. Roberge

110 Ss evaluated conclusions for conditional reasoning arguments embodying 1 of 4 principles of inference: modus ponens, conversion, inversion, and modus tollens. The presence of the negative “not” was varied systematically within each major premise and conclusion. The results indicated that the form of the major premise had a significant ( p < .001) effect on reasoning. More importantly, it had a significant ( p < .001) differential effect according to the type of conclusion. The difference between Ss' mean error scores for conditional arguments with affirmative and negative conclusions was slight and nonsignificant ( p > .05).


2015 ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Miguel López Astorga

RESUMENEn este trabajo, analizamos un experimento sobre el razonamiento condicional de Staller, Sloman y Ben-Zeev (2000). En dicho experimento, los sujetos parecen manifestar un comportamiento contrario a las prescripciones de la lógica formal. Nosotros lo revisamosy descubrimos todas las variables que es preciso atender en los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje, variables que no siempre son consideradas por los docentes.Palabras clave: condicional, conocimiento general, inferencia, procesamiento de la información, representación mental.DO WE REASON ACCORDING TO OUR GENERALKNOWLEDGE? A STUDY ABOUT INTERACTIONSBETWEEN INFORMATION PROCESSING AND LOGICALINFERENCEABSTRACTIn this paper, I analyze an experiment about conditional reasoning presented by Staller,Sloman and Ben-Zeev (2000). In that experiment, the subjects’ behavior seems contradictory to prescriptions of formal logic. I check it and I discover all the variables that we need to deal with them in teaching and learning processes, despite that such variables are notalways checked by the teachers.Keywords: conditional, general knowledge, inference, information processing, mentalrepresentation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen O’Brien Pott ◽  
Anissa S. Blanshan ◽  
Kelly M. Huneke ◽  
Barbara L. Baasch Thomas ◽  
David A. Cook

Abstract Background CPD educators and CME providers would benefit from further insight regarding barriers and supports in obtaining CME, including sources of information about CME. To address this gap, we sought to explore challenges that clinicians encounter as they seek CME, and time and monetary support allotted for CME. Methods In August 2018, we surveyed licensed US clinicians (physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants), sampling 100 respondents each of family medicine physicians, internal medicine and hospitalist physicians, medicine specialist physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (1895 invited, 500 [26.3%] responded). The Internet-based questionnaire addressed barriers to obtaining CME, sources of CME information, and time and monetary support for CME. Results The most often-selected barriers were expense (338/500 [68%]) and travel time (N = 286 [57%]). The source of information about CME activities most commonly selected was online search (N = 348 [70%]). Direct email, professional associations, direct mail, and journals were also each selected by > 50% of respondents. Most respondents reported receiving 1–6 days (N = 301 [60%]) and $1000–$5000 (n = 263 [53%]) per year to use in CME activities. Most (> 70%) also reported no change in time or monetary support over the past 24 months. We found few significant differences in responses across clinician type or age group. In open-ended responses, respondents suggested eight ways to enhance CME: optimize location, reduce cost, publicize effectively, offer more courses and content, allow flexibility, ensure accessibility, make content clinically relevant, and encourage application. Conclusions Clinicians report that expense and travel time are the biggest barriers to CME. Time and money support is limited, and not increasing. Online search and email are the most frequently-used sources of information about CME. Those who organize and market CME should explore options that reduce barriers of time and money, and creatively use online tools to publicize new offerings.


Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1409
Author(s):  
Marija Boričić Joksimović

We give some simple examples of applying some of the well-known elementary probability theory inequalities and properties in the field of logical argumentation. A probabilistic version of the hypothetical syllogism inference rule is as follows: if propositions A, B, C, A→B, and B→C have probabilities a, b, c, r, and s, respectively, then for probability p of A→C, we have f(a,b,c,r,s)≤p≤g(a,b,c,r,s), for some functions f and g of given parameters. In this paper, after a short overview of known rules related to conjunction and disjunction, we proposed some probabilized forms of the hypothetical syllogism inference rule, with the best possible bounds for the probability of conclusion, covering simultaneously the probabilistic versions of both modus ponens and modus tollens rules, as already considered by Suppes, Hailperin, and Wagner.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1-2 (6)) ◽  
pp. 251-261
Author(s):  
Sergey Vardanyan

The history of Armenians has been accompanied with struggles against forced Islamization. The Islamized Hamshen-Armenians are of particular interest in this regard. The present article provides solid evidence about Islamized Armenians in general and those in the village of Khevak in particular, making reference to new sources of information that confirm the ideas stated.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 367-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Divya Ballal ◽  
Janardhana Navaneetham

Background: Children of parents with mental illness are not routinely included in psychoeducational and supportive family interventions provided by adult mental health systems. The family, therefore, is an important and, sometimes, the only source of information and support for them. Aim: To understand the experiences of well parents in talking to their children about parental mental illness. Method: This article presents the findings of a qualitative study of the experiences of well parents in talking to their children about parental mental illness. Ten well parents whose spouses were diagnosed with a severe mental illness participated in the study. Socio-demographic information, family details and history of the spouse’s mental illness along with their experiences of talking to children about parental mental illness, the perceived risks and benefits, challenges they faced and the role of others in the process were recorded. Qualitative data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Findings: The themes of ‘distancing children from parental mental illness’, ‘avoiding conversations about the illness’, ‘giving and receiving emotional support’, ‘providing explanations of the illness’ and ‘regulating other sources of information’ show the complex ways in which well parents influence their children’s understanding of parental mental illness. The findings are examined in the background of what is known about this topic from the perspective of children or of the parent with illness. Possible ways to support well parents in families affected by parental mental illness are discussed. Conclusion: This study is a step forward in the understanding of how families talk to children about parental mental illness and provides the perspective of the well parent.


Author(s):  
Victoria Chen

The purpose of this study is to examine whether Multimedia learning theory (Mayer, 1997; Schnotz & Kürschner, 2007) holds true when images are the primary source of information and text information is secondary. I will test how temporal arrangement of audio and image presentations affects quality of learning in this situation. I hypothesize that when audio is played before or after the image participants will require increased cognitive processing to mentally integrate the two sources of information resulting in deeper learning and transfer of learning. On the other hand when audio is played while the image is shown, I hypothesize that participants with high prior knowledge of the subject will score lower than participants with low prior knowledge, because prior knowledge will interfere with knowledge from the two sources causing a redundancy effect. This experiment will lead to greater understanding of multimedia teaching and learning in classrooms as well as how it affects deeper learning.


Author(s):  
Zelia Breda ◽  
Rui Costa ◽  
Gorete Dinis ◽  
Amandine Angie Martins

Online comments are increasingly mentioned as an important source of information, simplifying consumers' buying decisions. Online user-generated content has become one of the main sources of information for tourists, who themselves become creators of their own online content. This chapter focuses on sentiment analysis of comments made on TripAdvisor regarding one resort located in the Algarve region, in Portugal. The resort has good reviews, which means that the eWOM is positive. The highest scores relate to the resort's cleanliness, location and quality of sleep, and those that were less relevant were the value for money, the rooms and the service. The most dominant emotion is joy, followed by an analytical response. Negative emotions, such as sadness and anger, were not found very often in the online reviews. These results could be explained by the quality of the service, the kindness of the staff, the facilities for children, the entertainment, and the location, attributes that were often highlighted in the comments.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document