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Confirmation in the Cognitive Sciences: The Problematic Case of Bayesian Models

Eberhardt, Frederick and Danks, David (2011) Confirmation in the Cognitive Sciences: The Problematic Case of Bayesian Models. Minds and Machines, 21 (3). pp. 389-410. ISSN 0924-6495

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Abstract

Bayesian models of human learning are becoming increasingly popular in cognitive science. We argue that their purported confirmation largely relies on a methodology that depends on premises that are inconsistent with the claim that people are Bayesian about learning and inference. Bayesian models in cognitive science derive their appeal from their normative claim that the modeled inference is in some sense rational. Standard accounts of the rationality of Bayesian inference imply predictions that an agent selects the option that maximizes the posterior expected utility. Experimental confirmation of the models, however, has been claimed because of groups of agents that “probability match” the posterior. Probability matching only constitutes support for the Bayesian claim if additional unobvious and untested (but testable) assumptions are invoked. The alternative strategy of weakening the underlying notion of rationality no longer distinguishes the Bayesian model uniquely. A new account of rationality—either for inference or for decision-making—is required to successfully confirm Bayesian models in cognitive science.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Eberhardt, Frederickeberhardt@wustl.edu
Danks, Davidddanks@cmu.edu
Keywords: Bayesian modeling, Rationality, Levels of explanation, Methodology in cognitive science
Subjects: General Issues > Confirmation/Induction
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Depositing User: Dr Frederick Eberhardt
Date Deposited: 09 Sep 2011 12:06
Last Modified: 09 Sep 2011 12:06
Item ID: 8778
Journal or Publication Title: Minds and Machines
Publisher: Springer
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11023-011-9241-3
Subjects: General Issues > Confirmation/Induction
Specific Sciences > Psychology
Date: 17 May 2011
Page Range: pp. 389-410
Volume: 21
Number: 3
ISSN: 0924-6495
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8778

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