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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Revised and Neuroimaging-Compatible Versions of the Dual Task Screen
Published on: October 5, 2020
Proportional reasoning as a heuristic-based process: time constraint and dual task considerations
Ellen Gillard1, Wim Van Dooren, Walter Schaeken
1Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Center for Instructional Psychology and Technology, University of Leuven, Belgium. ellen.gillard@ped.kuleuven.be
Abstract:
The present study interprets the overuse of proportional solution methods from a dual process framework. Dual process theories claim that analytic operations involve time-consuming executive processing, whereas heuristic operations are fast and automatic. In two experiments to test whether proportional reasoning is heuristic-based, the participants solved "proportional" problems, for which proportional solution methods provide correct answers, and "nonproportional" problems known to elicit incorrect answers based on the assumption of proportionality. In Experiment 1, the available solution time was restricted. In Experiment 2, the executive resources were burdened with a secondary task. Both manipulations induced an increase in proportional answers and a decrease in correct answers to nonproportional problems. These results support the hypothesis that the choice for proportional methods is heuristic-based.
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