Title

Thematic Material Effects Using The Wason 2-4-6 Task

Abstract

A common obstacle that impedes problem solving is the tendency to seek only confirmatory data. Wason (1960) devised a rule discovery task, the Wason 2-4-6 task, in which the participant was expected to devise and test hypotheses. The Wason 2-4-6 task and a derivation of the Wason 2-4-6 task using a thematic scenario was used to determine if the presentation of a concrete, rather than an abstract problem, would alter the individual's problem solving strategy. Results demonstrated that the presentation of a realistic problem did not alter problem solving strategies. Participants continued to rely heavily on confirmatory problem solving strategies and exhibited confirmation bias. Those participants who did not solve the problem generally did not utilize disconfirmatory strategies optimally. In some cases, disconfirmatory data were completely disregarded. It is suggested that individuals do not always employ optimal problem solving strategies, often being mislead by the solitary use of a confirmatory strategy. Maladaptive problem solving techniques can have detrimental results in situations where several possible answers exist, such as in a medical diagnosis or in response to faults in complex systems.

Publication Date

1-1-1995

Publication Title

Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society

Volume

2

Number of Pages

962-

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

Socpus ID

0029178359 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/0029178359

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