Question

Which of the following is the most plausible way to improve performance on the Wason four-card task?

a. Research suggests that nothing can be done to improve performance on this task.
b. Reframe the problem so that it uses valid categorical syllogisms instead of conditional statements.
c. Change the context of the problem so that the participant imagines he or she is a cop searching a bar for underage drinkers.
d. Encourage participants to flip over all of the cards.

Answer 1

The most plausible way to improve performance on the Wason four-card task is to reframe the problem using valid categorical syllogisms instead of conditional statements. The correct choice is b. Reframe the problem so that it uses valid categorical syllogisms instead of conditional statements.

Step-by-step explanation:

In order to improve performance on the Wason four-card task, the most plausible way is to reframe the problem so that it uses valid categorical syllogisms instead of conditional statements. This approach has been found to enhance participants' ability to correctly solve the task.

The Wason four-card task is a classic problem that requires logical reasoning and deduction. By presenting the problem in the form of valid categorical syllogisms, participants can use established rules of logic to determine the correct answer.

For example, instead of presenting the problem as a conditional statement like 'If there is a vowel on one side, then there is an even number on the other side,' it can be reframed as a valid categorical syllogism like 'All vowels have even numbers on the other side.' This type of framing can help participants make accurate inferences and improve their performance on the task.