Definition
The Wason Selection Task is a psychological study designed to test human logical reasoning. It demonstrates the powerful tendency to seek confirmation for a hypothesis rather than seeking evidence that could falsify it.
Why It Matters
We are naturally wired to prove ourselves right, not to find the truth. The Wason task exposes the “bug” in our mental software (confirmation bias). If we don’t actively fight this instinct, we remain prisoners of our own assumptions, unable to see the “falsifying” evidence right in front of us.
Core Concepts
- The Task: Four cards (A, 7, D, 4) with a letter on one side and a number on the other. Hypothesis: “Every card with a vowel on one side has an even number on the other.”
- The Error: Only 10% of subjects get the correct answer (A and 7). Most people choose A (confirmation) and 4 (irrelevant), while failing to choose 7 (the only card besides A that can disprove the rule).
- The Falsification Requirement: To test “If P, then Q,” you must check P (to see if Q is there) and Not-Q (to see if P is there). Checking Q is useless because the rule does not forbid Not-P from having Q.
- Context Dependency: The task is much easier to solve when framed as a social rule (e.g., checking ages for drinking) than as an abstract logical problem.