Representation of Logical Form in Memory

Current theories of human deductive reasoning make different claims about the representation of logical statements in memory. Syntactically-based theories claim that abstract logical forms are represented veridically in memory, separate from content, whereas semantic theories propose that naïve reasoners represent combinations of possibilities that are based on the content of statements. We tested these predictions in two experiments in which participants had to recall and recognize statements of different logical forms. Results indicate that memory for logical form is not veridical, thus failing to support the syntactic view. In particular, results suggest that naïve participants tend, whenever possible, to represent only a single possibility for a statement of any logical form. These findings are consistent with semantic theories of human deductive reasoning and have significant implications for all theories of reasoning.