Understanding quantified categorical expressions

A model of categorical inference (see LLBA X/3, 7602121) claims that a conversion operation participates in the encoding of quantified, categorical expressions. As an consequence, a reasoner is said to interpret such sentences as "all A are B" in a way that permits it to also be the case that "all B are A." The present study examines this conception of encoding using a sentence-picture verification task. In 2 experiments, students (N = 44 each) were asked to judge whether 1 of 5 possible Euler diagrams was true or false of a categorical expression (eg, all A are B, no A are B, some A are B, some A are not B). Verification errors support a 3-stage progressive analysis of categorical relations; at the top is the converted reading of the input sentence. These findings have implications for current conceptions of categorical inference & semantic retrieval. 7 Tables, 7 Figures, 32 References. Modified HA