Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 203-214 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Advances in Cognitive Psychology |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Publication status | Published - 2022 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Abstract
Abductive reasoning is the process of finding the best explanation for a set of observations. As the number of possible observations and corresponding explanations may be very high, it is commonly accepted that working memory capacity is closely related to successful abductive reasoning. However, the precise relationship between abductive reasoning and working memory capacity remains largely opaque. In a reanalysis of two experiments (N = 59), we first investigated whether reasoning performance is associated with differences in working memory capacity. Second, using eye tracking, we explored the relationship between the facets of working memory and the process of visuospatial reasoning. We used working memory tests of both components (verbal-numerical/spatial) as well as an intelligence measure. Results showed a clear relationship between reasoning accuracy and spatial components as well as intelligence. Process measures suggested that working memory seems to be a limiting factor to reasoning and that looking-back to previously relevant areas is compensating for poor mental models rather than being a sign of a particularly elaborate one. Following, high working memory ability might lead to the use of strategies to optimize the content and complexity of the mental representation on which abductive reasoning is based.
Keywords
- abductive reasoning, eye movements, process tracing, visuospatial reasoning, working memory
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neuroscience(all)
- Psychology(all)
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology(all)
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychology(all)
- Applied Psychology
- Psychology(all)
- Psychology (miscellaneous)
- Medicine(all)
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: Advances in Cognitive Psychology, Vol. 18, No. 3, 2022, p. 203-214.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - More Than Storage of Information
T2 - What Working Memory Contributes to Visual Abductive Reasoning
AU - Klichowicz, Anja
AU - Rosner, Agnes
AU - Krems, Josef F.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 University of Finance and Management in Warsaw. All rights reserved.
PY - 2022
Y1 - 2022
N2 - Abductive reasoning is the process of finding the best explanation for a set of observations. As the number of possible observations and corresponding explanations may be very high, it is commonly accepted that working memory capacity is closely related to successful abductive reasoning. However, the precise relationship between abductive reasoning and working memory capacity remains largely opaque. In a reanalysis of two experiments (N = 59), we first investigated whether reasoning performance is associated with differences in working memory capacity. Second, using eye tracking, we explored the relationship between the facets of working memory and the process of visuospatial reasoning. We used working memory tests of both components (verbal-numerical/spatial) as well as an intelligence measure. Results showed a clear relationship between reasoning accuracy and spatial components as well as intelligence. Process measures suggested that working memory seems to be a limiting factor to reasoning and that looking-back to previously relevant areas is compensating for poor mental models rather than being a sign of a particularly elaborate one. Following, high working memory ability might lead to the use of strategies to optimize the content and complexity of the mental representation on which abductive reasoning is based.
AB - Abductive reasoning is the process of finding the best explanation for a set of observations. As the number of possible observations and corresponding explanations may be very high, it is commonly accepted that working memory capacity is closely related to successful abductive reasoning. However, the precise relationship between abductive reasoning and working memory capacity remains largely opaque. In a reanalysis of two experiments (N = 59), we first investigated whether reasoning performance is associated with differences in working memory capacity. Second, using eye tracking, we explored the relationship between the facets of working memory and the process of visuospatial reasoning. We used working memory tests of both components (verbal-numerical/spatial) as well as an intelligence measure. Results showed a clear relationship between reasoning accuracy and spatial components as well as intelligence. Process measures suggested that working memory seems to be a limiting factor to reasoning and that looking-back to previously relevant areas is compensating for poor mental models rather than being a sign of a particularly elaborate one. Following, high working memory ability might lead to the use of strategies to optimize the content and complexity of the mental representation on which abductive reasoning is based.
KW - abductive reasoning
KW - eye movements
KW - process tracing
KW - visuospatial reasoning
KW - working memory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85144200014&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.5709/acp-0366-1
DO - 10.5709/acp-0366-1
M3 - Article
VL - 18
SP - 203
EP - 214
JO - Advances in Cognitive Psychology
JF - Advances in Cognitive Psychology
SN - 1895-1171
IS - 3
ER -