Drawing Euler diagrams for information visualization

John Howse, Peter Rodgers, Gem Stapleton

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBNConference contribution with ISSN or ISBNpeer-review

Abstract

This paper discusses the cognitive differences between reasoning with Euler diagrams and reasoning with Venn diagrams. We test subjects' performances in syllogism solving in case where these two types of diagrams are used. We conduct an analysis on the role played by the conventional devices of each diagram in reasoning processes. Based on this, we hypothesize that of the two types of diagrams, only Euler diagrams could guide subjects without prior knowledge of their inferential strategies for combining diagrams. To test this hypothesis, subjects in our experiment are only provided with instructions on the meanings of diagrams and required to solve reasoning tasks without any instruction on the solving strategies. Our experimental results support the hypothesis and indicate that Euler diagrams can not only contribute to subjects' correct interpretation of categorical sentences used but also play a crucial role in reasoning processes themselves.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 6th International Conference on the Theory and Application of Diagrams
Place of PublicationBerlin Heidelberg
PublisherSpringer
Pages4-4
Number of pages1
Volume6170
ISBN (Electronic)9783642146008
ISBN (Print)9783642145995
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2010
Event6th International Conference on the Theory and Application of Diagrams - Portland, Oregon, USA, 9-11 August, 2010
Duration: 9 Aug 2010 → …

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science

Conference

Conference6th International Conference on the Theory and Application of Diagrams
Period9/08/10 → …

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