Exploring the Four-Card Problem: Insights into Logical Reasoning and Cognitive Bias

Introduction

The Four-Card Problem, formulated by cognitive psychologist Peter Wason in 1966, serves as a fundamental experiment in the study of logical reasoning and cognitive biases. The problem presents participants with four cards, each displaying a letter on one side and a number on the other. The task requires individuals to determine which cards must be turned over to verify the truth of the conditional statement: “If there is a vowel on one side, then there is an even number on the other side.” The purpose of this report is to explore the implications of the Four-Card Problem in relation to logical reasoning and the cognitive biases that hinder systematic thinking. Through examining the typical responses and errors made by participants, this paper aims to elucidate how cognitive biases such as confirmation bias and the selection bias influence logical reasoning processes.

Main Body

The Four-Card Problem is notable for its ability to reveal the limitations of human reasoning, particularly in conditional logic. When presented with the problem, many individuals instinctively choose the cards that confirm the hypothesis rather than those that might disprove it. For