Individual Differences in Deductive Logic, Abductive Logic, and Cognitive Styles

Abstract

Participants in this study completed the CAPSOL Style of Learning Assessment-Form B and the Logical Style Exercise. Compared with the 44 participants exhibiting an "Abduction 1" logical style that accounts for more facts, the 18 participants exhibiting an "Abduction 2" logical style that accounts for newly discovered facts were significantly more likely to exhibit a deductive logical style as well and were significantly more likely to exhibit a visual cognitive style. Discussion of both results focuses on the relationship between Abduction 2 (discovery) and deduction.