P1 : GFZ 0521824176 c29 .xml CB798 B/Holyoak 0 521 82417 6 October 31 , 2004 18 :5 CHAPTER 29 Scientific Thinking and Reasoning Kevin Dunbar Jonathan Fugelsang What is Scientific Thinking and Reasoning? Scientific thinking refers to the mental processes used when reasoning about the content of science (e.g., force in physics), engaged in typical scientific activities (e.g., designing experiments), or specific types of reasoning that are frequently used in sci- ence (e.g., deducing that there is a planet beyond Pluto). Scientific thinking involves many general-purpose cognitive operations that human beings apply in nonscientific do- mains such as induction, deduction, anal- ogy, problem solving, and causal reason- ing. These cognitive processes are covered in many chapters of this handbook (see Sloman & Lagnado, Chap. 5 on induction; Holyoak, Chap. 6 on analogy; Buehner and Cheng, Chap. 7 on causality; Evans, Chap. 8 on deduction; Novick and Bassok, Chap. 14 on problem solving; Chi and Ohllson, Chap. 16 on conceptual change). What dis- tinguishes research on scientific thinking from general research on cognition is that research on scientific thinking typically in- volves investigating thinking that has scien- tific content. A number of overlapping re- search traditions have been used to investi- gate scientific thinking. We cover the history of research on scientific thinking and the dif- ferent approaches that have been used, high- lighting common themes that have emerged over the past fifty years of research. A Brief History of Research on Scientific Thinking Science is often considered one of the hall- marks of the human species, along with art, music, and literature. Illuminating the thought processes used in science there- fore reveals key aspects of the human mind. The thought processes underlying scientific thinking have fascinated both scientists and nonscientists because the products of sci- ence have transformed our world and be- cause the process of discovery is shrouded in mystery. Scientists talk of the chance dis- covery, the flash of insight, the years of per- spiration, and the voyage of discovery. These 705