Deductive reasoning

This chapter describes the main accounts of deductive competence, which exp lain what is computed in carrying out deductions. It argues that people hav e a modicum of competence, which is useful in daily life and a prerequisite for acquiring logical expertise. It outlines the three main sorts of theor y of deductive performance, which explain how people make deductions: They rely on factual knowledge, formal rules, or mental models. It reviews recen t experimental studies of deductive reasoning in order to help readers to a ssess these theories of performance.