Conditional Reasoning as a Theoretical Perspective on Personality

Conditional reasoning is a useful way to assess the implicit aspects of personality. Unfortunately, a limited number of conditional reasoning tests have been developed to measure different personality dimensions. While work exists that attempts to explain the measurement system of conditional reasoning, fewer works attempt to explain the theory that underlies conditional reasoning. The lack of a theoretical description of conditional reasoning may be why researchers have not developed many new conditional reasoning tests. We reviewed conditional reasoning research and contacted authors who have successfully developed conditional reasoning measures to understand better the theory that undergirds conditional reasoning. We identify and present eight foundational assumptions to explain the theory that underlies conditional reasoning. By sharing these assumptions and associated implications, we aim to spur further development of conditional reasoning tests.