A Mechanical Reasoning Test with Answer‐until‐correct Directions Confirms a Quantitative Description of Partial Information

Abstract

A possible mechanical description of partial knowledge, ability, and willingness to answer in multiple‐choice tests is as follows. Each alternative in each item is envisaged to generate within the subject a certain feeling of mismatch to the question asked. The strength of this tends to be greater for incorrect alternatives than for correct answers, though there is significant random variation. The subject chooses the alternative which has given rise to the lowest mismatch. This theory can also predict the probability of correct response when the subject is allowed a second attempt at items initially answered wrongly. Evidence for the operation of partial knowledge is given by two findings: (i) performance when second and subsequent choices are made (after the first choice is wrong) is above the chance level, and (ii) is positively related to first‐choice performance.