Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inference
Abstract Introduction Logically valid deductive arguments are clear examples of abstract recursive computational procedures on propositions or on probabilities. However, it is not known if the cortical time-consuming inferential processes in which logical arguments are eventually realized in the bra...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Brain Informatics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40708-023-00194-8 |
| _version_ | 1797806449556979712 |
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| author | Francisco Salto Carmen Requena Paula Alvarez-Merino Víctor Rodríguez Jesús Poza Roberto Hornero |
| author_facet | Francisco Salto Carmen Requena Paula Alvarez-Merino Víctor Rodríguez Jesús Poza Roberto Hornero |
| author_sort | Francisco Salto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Logically valid deductive arguments are clear examples of abstract recursive computational procedures on propositions or on probabilities. However, it is not known if the cortical time-consuming inferential processes in which logical arguments are eventually realized in the brain are in fact physically different from other kinds of inferential processes. Methods In order to determine whether an electrical EEG discernible pattern of logical deduction exists or not, a new experimental paradigm is proposed contrasting logically valid and invalid inferences with exactly the same content (same premises and same relational variables) and distinct logical complexity (propositional truth-functional operators). Electroencephalographic signals from 19 subjects (24.2 ± 3.3 years) were acquired in a two-condition paradigm (100 trials for each condition). After the initial general analysis, a trial-by-trial approach in beta-2 band allowed to uncover not only evoked but also phase asynchronous activity between trials. Results showed that (i) deductive inferences with the same content evoked the same response pattern in logically valid and invalid conditions, (ii) mean response time in logically valid inferences is 61.54% higher, (iii) logically valid inferences are subjected to an early (400 ms) and a late reprocessing (600 ms) verified by two distinct beta-2 activations (p-value < 0,01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Conclusion We found evidence of a subtle but measurable electrical trait of logical validity. Results put forward the hypothesis that some logically valid deductions are recursive or computational cortical events. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:07:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-90acfef7914148ab9374b7c9d69dada0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2198-4018 2198-4026 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T06:07:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Informatics |
| spelling | doaj.art-90acfef7914148ab9374b7c9d69dada02023-06-11T11:28:55ZengSpringerOpenBrain Informatics2198-40182198-40262023-06-0110111510.1186/s40708-023-00194-8Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inferenceFrancisco Salto0Carmen Requena1Paula Alvarez-Merino2Víctor Rodríguez3Jesús Poza4Roberto Hornero5Grupo Neurociencia, Envejecimiento y Lógica Aplicada, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de LeónGrupo Neurociencia, Envejecimiento y Lógica Aplicada, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de LeónGrupo Neurociencia, Envejecimiento y Lógica Aplicada, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de LeónCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus M. DelibesCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus M. DelibesCentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Universidad de Valladolid, Campus M. DelibesAbstract Introduction Logically valid deductive arguments are clear examples of abstract recursive computational procedures on propositions or on probabilities. However, it is not known if the cortical time-consuming inferential processes in which logical arguments are eventually realized in the brain are in fact physically different from other kinds of inferential processes. Methods In order to determine whether an electrical EEG discernible pattern of logical deduction exists or not, a new experimental paradigm is proposed contrasting logically valid and invalid inferences with exactly the same content (same premises and same relational variables) and distinct logical complexity (propositional truth-functional operators). Electroencephalographic signals from 19 subjects (24.2 ± 3.3 years) were acquired in a two-condition paradigm (100 trials for each condition). After the initial general analysis, a trial-by-trial approach in beta-2 band allowed to uncover not only evoked but also phase asynchronous activity between trials. Results showed that (i) deductive inferences with the same content evoked the same response pattern in logically valid and invalid conditions, (ii) mean response time in logically valid inferences is 61.54% higher, (iii) logically valid inferences are subjected to an early (400 ms) and a late reprocessing (600 ms) verified by two distinct beta-2 activations (p-value < 0,01, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Conclusion We found evidence of a subtle but measurable electrical trait of logical validity. Results put forward the hypothesis that some logically valid deductions are recursive or computational cortical events.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40708-023-00194-8Beta-2 bandEvoked potentialsInduced potentialsDeductive inferenceLogical validityCortical bases of logical reasoning |
| spellingShingle | Francisco Salto Carmen Requena Paula Alvarez-Merino Víctor Rodríguez Jesús Poza Roberto Hornero Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inference Brain Informatics Beta-2 band Evoked potentials Induced potentials Deductive inference Logical validity Cortical bases of logical reasoning |
| title | Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inference |
| title_full | Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inference |
| title_fullStr | Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inference |
| title_full_unstemmed | Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inference |
| title_short | Electrical analysis of logical complexity: an exploratory eeg study of logically valid/invalid deducive inference |
| title_sort | electrical analysis of logical complexity an exploratory eeg study of logically valid invalid deducive inference |
| topic | Beta-2 band Evoked potentials Induced potentials Deductive inference Logical validity Cortical bases of logical reasoning |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40708-023-00194-8 |
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