Neural Mechanism of Inductive Reasoning

Abstract

The neural mechanism of inductive reasoning was reviewed based on a research of neuropsychology and brain imaging.The cognitive model of inductive reasoning typically views it as a form of hypothesis generation and selection.Determination of relevant information is the crucial component of induction.The neuropsychological researches in recent years have shown that the left lateral frontal cortex has greater activity during induction,and the process of relational integration in induction is specifically associated with bilateral rostrolateral PFC(prefrontal cortex,RLPFC,BA10) and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex(BA9/46).The hypothesis generation may be reflected by P300 according to the ERP(event-related potential) studies.