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| Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2001): |
Tests of the power PC theory of causal induction with negative contingencies.
Full Abstract
The power PC theory of causal induction (Cheng, 1997) proposes that causal estimates are based on the power p of a potential cause, where p is the contingency between the cause and effect normalized by the base rate of the effect. Previous tests of this theory have concentrated on generative causes that have positive contingencies with their associated outcomes. Here we empirically test this theory in two experiments using preventive causes that have negative contingencies for their outcomes. Contrary to the power PC theory, the results show that causal judgments vary with contingency across conditions of constant power p. This pattern is consistent, however, with several alternative accounts of causal judgment.
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Author information
Author/s: Shanks, David R (DR);
Affiliation: University College London, UK. d.shanks(-atsign-)ucl.ac.uk
Journal and publication information
Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Validation Studies
Journal: Experimental psychology (Exp Psychol), published in Germany. (Language: eng)
Reference: 2002-; vol 49 (issue 2) : pp 81-8
Dates: Created 2002/06/10; Completed 2002/07/12; Revised 2006/11/15;
PMID: 12053534, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)
Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.
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