Cognitive Style and Logical Deductive Reasoning

Abstract

Two studies designed to analyze the role of reflection in logical deductive reasoning were conducted. In Study I sixty-nine 6 and 7-year-olds were administered a measure of reflectivity (MFF) and a logic test involving concrete manipulations. The results indicated that: 1.) reflectives scored higher than impulsives on the logic test but the difference was not statistically significant (p < . 10) ; 2. ) fallacy principles were more difficult than the valid ones (p < .01); and 3.) sex differences were nonsignificant. In an attempt to determine whether the nonsignificant effect of reflectivity in Study I was a function of the concrete nature of the logic test, thirty-nine 11-year-olds were administered a verbal measure of logical reasoning and the MFF in a second study. The following was found: 1. ) Suggestive, contrary to fact, items were more difficult than concrete or abstract ones (p < .05) , 2.) valid principles were less difficult than invalid ones (p < .01), and 3.) while reflectives performed better than impulsives on the logic test, the magnitude difference was again nonsignificant (p < .10).

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