NONCONSCIOUS INDIRECT INFERENCES IN ENCODING

Indirect (transitive) inference (i.e., if A is related to B, and B is related to C, then C is related to A) is a ubiquitous component of thi nking and reasoning. This research demonstrates that a mechanism at le ast functionally similar to drawing indirect inferences can also be ob served in unintentional processes of encoding. The 2 studies followed the same design and used modified versions of procedures tested in pre vious research on nonconscious information processing (P. Lewicki, T. Hill, & M. Czyzewska, 1992). In the first learning phase, Ss acquired an encoding algorithm relating Variables A and B. In the second learni ng phase, Variable A was removed from the material and replaced with V ariable C, allowing Ss to acquire the second encoding algorithm (relat ing B and C). Consistent with the original studies, Ss were not aware that there were any consistencies in the material. In the testing phas e material, Variable B was removed, and Ss were asked to make intuitiv e judgments regarding Variable A. The data from both experiments confi rmed the expectation that Ss would implicitly draw indirect inferences (A on the basis of C). This process is discussed as one of the mechan isms that may trigger the development of various components of procedu ral knowledge.