Examining the role of deliberation in de-bias training

Abstract

AbstractDoes avoiding biased responding to reasoning problems and grasping the ­correct solution require engaging in effortful deliberation or can such solution insight be acquired more intuitively? In this study we set out to test the impact of deliberation on the efficiency of a de-bias training in which the problem logic was explained to participants. We focused on the infamous bat-and-ball problem and varied the degree of possible deliberation during the training session by manipulating time constraints and cognitive load. The results show that the less constrained the deliberation, the more participants improve. However, even under extremely stringent conditions (high time-pressure and dual task load), participants still show a significant improvement. Critically, this “intuitive” insight effect persists over two months. This suggests that deliberation helps reasoners benefit from the training, but it is not indispensable. We discuss critical applied and theoretical implications.Keywords: Reasoninginsightheuristics & biasesde-biasingintuition Disclosure statementNone.Open data statementRaw data can be downloaded from our OSF page (https://osf.io/3b4jy/?view_only=a388443c8fc34310b9f908fe847f077b).Notes1 Hence, whenever we report null findings, we cannot exclude that with a more powerful design the effects might be significant.2 Participants solved three training problems and read an explanation for each one. We focused on the problem solution times for the two problems after the first explanation (i.e., the third and fourth problem of the whole intervention).3 Given that all reading times were fixed at 8 seconds in the fast group (i.e., participants could not advance earlier), this analysis was not informative in this group.Additional informationFundingThis study was supported by the Idex Université Paris Cité ANR-18-IDEX-0001 and by a research grant (DIAGNOR, ANR-16-CE28-0010-01) from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche, France.