인과 추론은 심리학에서는 물론 최근 베이스 접근법을 취하는 인지과학자들에 의해서도 활발히 연구되고 있다. 본 연구는 인과추론에 대한 대표적 심리학 이론인 힘-확률대비이론(a power probabilistic contrast theory of causality)을 중심으로 인과 추론의 최근 동향을 개관하고자 한다. 힘-확률대비이론에서는, 원인은 결과를 일으키거나 억제하는 힘(power)인데, 이 힘은 특정한 조건하에서 통계적 상관을 통해 파악될 수 있다고 가정한다. 본 논문에서는 이 이론에 대한 초기의 경험적 지지 증거를 먼저 살펴본 다음, 베이스 접근에 기반을 둔 이론과의 쟁점을 명확히 하고, 원인은 맥락에 무관하게 동일하게 작동한다는 인과적 불변성 가정(causal invariance hypothesis)을 중심으로 한 보다 최근의 연구 결과를 소개하고자 한다. 이 연구들은 종래의 통계적 접근법으로는 잘 설명되지 않는 결과를 제시함으로써, 철학, 통계학, 그리고 인공 지능 등과 같은 인접 분야에 인과성에 대한 힘 이론을 진지하게 고려할 것을 촉구하고 있다.
Causal reasoning is actively studied not only by psychologists but, in recent years, also by cognitive scientists taking the Bayesian approach. This paper seeks to provide an overview of the recent trends in causal reasoning research with a focus on the power probabilistic contrast theory of causality, a major psychological theory on causal inference. The power probabilistic contrast theory (PPCT) assumes that a cause is a power that initiates or inhibits the result. This power is purported be understood through statistical correlation under certain conditions. The paper examines the supporting empirical evidence in the development of PPCT. Also, introduced are the theoretical dispute between the PPCT and the model based on Bayesian approach, and the current developments and implications of research on causal invariance hypothesis, which states that cause operates identically regardless of the context. Recent studies have produced experimental results that cannot be readily explained by existing empirical approach. Therefore, these results call for serious examination of the power theory of causality by researchers in neighboring fields such as philosophy, statistics, and artificial intelligence.
Causal reasoning is actively studied not only by psychologists but, in recent years, also by cognitive scientists taking the Bayesian approach. This paper seeks to provide an overview of the recent trends in causal reasoning research with a focus on the power probabilistic contrast theory of causality, a major psychological theory on causal inference. The power probabilistic contrast theory (PPCT) assumes that a cause is a power that initiates or inhibits the result. This power is purported be understood through statistical correlation under certain conditions. The paper examines the supporting empirical evidence in the development of PPCT. Also, introduced are the theoretical dispute between the PPCT and the model based on Bayesian approach, and the current developments and implications of research on causal invariance hypothesis, which states that cause operates identically regardless of the context. Recent studies have produced experimental results that cannot be readily explained by existing empirical approach. Therefore, these results call for serious examination of the power theory of causality by researchers in neighboring fields such as philosophy, statistics, and artificial intelligence.