title: Rule-based reasoning is fast and belief-based reasoning can be slow: Challenging current explanations of belief-bias and base-rate neglect.
abstract: It is commonly assumed that belief-based reasoning is fast and automatic, whereas rule-based reasoning is slower and more effortful. Dual-Process theories of reasoning rely on this speed-asymmetry explanation to account for a number of reasoning phenomena, such as base-rate neglect and belief-bias. The goal of the current study was to test this hypothesis about the relative speed of belief-based and rule-based processes. Participants solved base-rate problems (Experiment 1) and conditional inferences (Experiment 2) under a challenging deadline; they then gave a second response in free time. We found that fast responses were informed by rules of probability and logical validity, and that slow responses incorporated belief-based information. Implications for Dual-Process theories and future research options for dissociating Type I and Type II processes are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan.
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology, University of Saskatchewan.
authors.forename: Maia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gibb
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Saskatchewan.
authors.forename: Valerie A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015982:Bias; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D011336:Probability; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D011932:Reading; D013850:Thinking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult