Belief Bias - Syllogisms Within Reasoning

Syllogisms Within Reasoning

Belief bias emanates due to a conflict occurring between belief and logic reasoning (Sa, West & Stanovich, 1999). These conclusions within belief bias contain syllogisms and premises . Syllogism is a form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn from two given premises (Morely, Evans & Handley, 2004). For example, if this syllogism is broken down it becomes:

Major Premises: All dogs are animals, Minor Premises: All animals have four legs Conclusions: All dogs have four legs

Therefore, belief bias occurs when a person’s personal beliefs and knowledge do not agree with the conclusion given (Markovits, Saelen & Forgues, 2009). This example above is correct and so would be considered valid and believable. However, this example below does not make sense and therefore is invalid and unbelievable:

Major Premises: All poodles are dogs Minor Premises: Some dogs are animals Conclusion:Some poodles are animals.