Analytical Reasoning Questions-Connection Games

Analytical reasoning (games) connection problems can be thought of as similar to analytical reasoning (games) allocation problems. Both types of problems involve breaking down the "players" in a given set of conditions into smaller groups. Whereas analytical reasoning (games) allocation problems involve the allocation of all of the players into smaller, predefined groups, analytical reasoning (games) connection problems are slightly different in that they require the examinee to connect the various players to one or more characteristics defined in the set of conditions.

Analytical reasoning (games) connection problems require the examinee to be very nimble in their approach to the problem because there tends to be a great deal occurring simultaneously. For example, the first thing that the examinee must be sure and do is to establish the list of players given in the set of conditions. This is usually provided in a string and therefore, is not too difficult. Next, the examinee must clearly identify the various characteristics that come into play and, to the extent possible, attribute each characteristic to the player(s) to which it relates (or vice versa). Like many analytical reasoning (games) problems, many of the characteristics confronted by the examinee will be stated in the negative to further muddle the issue. For example, the examinee may be told that all of the players that have characteristic A cannot have characteristic B.

Analytical reasoning (games) connection problems will require the examinee to answer one or more of the following questions:

1. Identify which player(s) must connect with the various characteristics;
2. Identify which player(s) could be connected with the various characteristics;
3. Identify which player(s) are excluded from connecting with the various characteristics;
4. Identify which players must, must not, or can, share characteristics with the other players.

Consider the following analytical reasoning (games) connection problem:

There are four children: Will, Xena, Yarba, and Zoe. These children are afraid of the following creatures: snakes, lizards, and spiders consistent with the following:

Each of the children is afraid of at least one of the creatures;
No child is afraid of all three creatures;
At least two, but not all four of the children are afraid of snakes;
If Will is afraid of a creature, then Xena is afraid of that creature;
If a child is afraid of snakes, then that child is also afraid of lizards;
Yarba is afraid of snakes.

From the problem posed above it is easy to see how even the most diligent examinee can get very crossed up before even reading the specific questions associated with the set of conditions. Again, the key for making sense of analytical reasoning (games) connection problems is to first identify the players. In this case that would be Will, Xena, Yarba, and Zoe. The next step is to identify the characteristics. In this case, that would be the creatures that cause the various children to be frightened, or snakes, lizards, and spiders. It is very helpful for examinees to chart out how the characteristics apply to each player. It is important to note that the set of conditions may give direct correlations between players and the characteristics (e.g. Yarba is afraid of snakes) or indirect correlations between players and the characteristics (e.g. If Will is afraid of a creature, then Xena is afraid of that creature).