EFFECTS OF CORROBORATION IN RULE LEARNING - CRITICISM ON INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE METHOD

Although it is generally accepted that human reasoning can be describe d as either inductive or deductive processes, this study proposes a ne w method of rule learning based on Popper's idea of ''corroboration'' as human reasoning process. ''Corroboration'' is defined as an applica tion of a hypothesis (rule), which was induced from a few examples, to new examples in order to confirm the validity of the hypothesis. In t wo experiments, 170 undergraduates read one of three materials describ ing an unfamiliar mathematical rule and its examples. Each material em bodied one of three processes i.e., inductive, deductive, or ''corrobo rative'' processes. In the results, those who read the ''corroborative '' material were better than others in three aspects: (1) They had mor e confidence that the rule was correct. (2) Their motivation for the a pplication of the rule to other examples was well satisfied. (3) They could recall the rule better even a week later.