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Darwinian algorithms and the Wason selection task: a factorial analysis of social contract selection task problems
1Department of Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611.
Cognition
|August 1, 1993
Summary
Cost-benefit information and deontic terms like "must" significantly improve reasoning on social contract problems, supporting evolutionary theories of cognition. These cues help individuals interpret complex scenarios more effectively.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Evolutionary Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- The Wason selection task is a key paradigm for studying deductive reasoning.
- Cosmides' Darwinian algorithm theory posits evolved mental modules for social exchange.
- Previous research shows facilitation on social contract versions of the task.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test Cosmides' theory of reasoning and its explanation of facilitation on the Wason selection task.
- To investigate the role of cost-benefit information, subject perspective, and deontic terms in social contract reasoning.
Main Methods:
- Four experiments with 760 subjects were conducted.
- Replication of Cosmides' findings using multiple and single-problem formats.
- Manipulation of subject perspective and cost-benefit information.
- Examination of explicit negatives and the deontic term 'must'.
Main Results:
- Facilitation on social contract versions was replicated.
- Cost-benefit information improved performance on two of three problems.
- Explicit negatives and the term 'must' significantly enhanced performance.
- Subject perspective manipulation had no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- Results strongly support social contract theory, highlighting the necessity of cost-benefit information for facilitation.
- Findings suggest additional cues, like deontic terms, guide interpretation of social contract problems.
- The study refines understanding of evolved reasoning mechanisms in social contexts.
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