THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INDUCTIVE & DEDUCTIVE REASONING IN COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY

According to (Anderson. 2010), researchers have been “investigating brain areas involved in reasoning, and it suggests that people can bring different systems to bear on different reasoning problems” (p. 273). There are also two well-established logical methods of reasoning that have been identified which are known as inductive and deductive. Trying to understand these reasoning methods may be difficult because the differences between them are subtle. Therefore, I have also provided a more in depth description and examples of each method below:

Inductive Reasoning – This is a process of reasoning that involves the use of specific observations to reach a general theory or logical conclusion. It can be categorized into different types which include: statistical syllogism, simple induction, generalization, false analogy, and casual inference. An inductive argument is also evaluated based on whether it is strong or weak and there are many times when the conclusion will be false even when the specific observations are true. This is because the conclusion is based on an individual’s educated prediction and/or bias thinking. Specific bias thinking that may occur with this type of reasoning could be confirmation bias, availability heuristic, and the predictable world bias.

Furthermore, when the specific observations that are used to acquire the conclusion are false, the argument will be considered “unsound.” Three examples of an inductive argument can also be as follows:

Example #1 – 100% of life forms on earth need water to survive. Since this is the case, if a new planet is discovered, then that life form will probably also need water to survive.

Example #2 – The neighbor’s dog has a high pitched bark. I hear a high pitched bark outside, so the neighbor’s dog must be barking.

Example #3 – Every time I eat dairy products, I get cramps in my stomach. Therefore I must get cramps in my stomach because I eat dairy products.

Deductive Reasoning – This is a process of reasoning that involves the use of a theory or general statements to reach a specific logical conclusion. A deductive argument is evaluated based on its overall level of validity and soundness. Since, this is the case there are times when a deductive argument may be considered valid but unsound. For example, when a specific conclusion is true, the argument may be valid, even though the general statements that were used are false. Since, a deductive argument is based on individual emotion and belief, there are also many times when it may contain a certain level of bias thinking. 

One example of bias thinking that can occur is when there may be differences in beliefs among varying cultures. Therefore, a deductive argument will only be considered sound if it is both valid and the general statements are true. Three examples of a deductive argument can also be as follows: 

Example #1 – All bachelors in the world are single. Joe is single. Joe is a bachelor.

Example #2 – The members of the Johnston family include Becky, Arnold and Larry. Becky is overweight. Arnold is overweight. Larry is overweight. Therefore, all members of the Johnston family are overweight.

Example #3 – Each day, I drive to work. This takes one hour. My job starts at nine o' clock in the morning. Therefore, if I leave at eight o' clock in the morning, I will get to work on time.

Reference:

Anderson, R. J. (2010). Cognitive Psychology and Its Implications (7th Edition). Worth Publishers. New York, NY.