Markovits, H. , Forgues, L. & Brunet, M.
University of Quebec at Montreal, Montreal, Canada
Logical reasoning is implicitly taken to suppose use of algorithmic procedures that rely only on relatively abstract semantics. However, both Piaget (1987) and more recently, Byrne (2005), have pointed out that understanding logical reasoning cannot be done without taking into account people's ability to generate problem representations that involve cognitive possibilities. In the following, we first review evidence that in many cases, these possibilities require direct access to semantic memory traces. We then examine the idea that more flexible retrieval might characterize more logical reasoners using examples from both conditional reasoning and the Linda problem.