Until recently, norms of experimental reasoning have lacked systematic theoretical development. Thus, it has been easy for psychologists like Tversky and Kahneman to misclassify certain human reasoning processes as being Pascalian and invalid, rather than as being Baconian and valid. (CP)

The elements of statistical formulae that cause people to perceive them as difficult were studied, working from theoretical bases that involve cognitive load, motivational perception, and impasse driven learning. In a pilot study conducted to identify difficulties that novices perceive while learning statistical formulae, 22 students in an…