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Causal reasoning with mental models
- Source :
- Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Vol 8 (2014), Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
- Publication Year :
- 2014
- Publisher :
- Frontiers Media S.A., 2014.
-
Abstract
- This paper outlines the model-based theory of causal reasoning. It postulates that the core meanings of causal assertions are deterministic and refer to temporally-ordered sets of possibilities: A causes B to occur means that given A, B occurs, whereas A enables B to occur means that given A, it is possible for B to occur. The paper shows how mental models represent such assertions, and how these models underlie deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning yielding explanations. It reviews evidence both to corroborate the theory and to account for phenomena sometimes taken to be incompatible with it. Finally, it reviews neuroscience evidence indicating that mental models for causal inference are implemented within lateral prefrontal cortex.
- Subjects :
- Cognitive science
causal reasoning
Deductive reasoning
Experimental psychology
Information processing
lateral prefrontal cortex
Review Article
enabling conditions
Semantics
Abductive reasoning
lcsh:RC321-571
Behavioral Neuroscience
Psychiatry and Mental health
Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Neurology
Causal inference
explanations
Mental Models
Statistical inference
Causal reasoning
Psychology
lcsh:Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Biological Psychiatry
Neuroscience
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 16625161
- Volume :
- 8
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....5a8d2bdfeaaf47706651b8c74407401c