Inductive reasoning

Students of media studies can see how inductive reasoning work and the types of things they can discern using inductive reasoning.

Inductive reasoning is the opposite of deductive reasoning. Inductive reasoning makes broad generalizations from specific observations. "In inductive inference, we go from the specific to the general. We make many observations, discern a pattern, make a generalization, and infer an explanation or a theory," Wassertheil-Smoller told Live Science. "In science there is a constant interplay between inductive inference (based on observations) and deductive inference (based on theory), until we get closer and closer to the 'truth,' which we can only approach but not ascertain with complete certainty." 

Even if all of the premises are true in a statement, inductive reasoning allows for the conclusion to be false. Here’s an example: "Harold is a grandfather. Harold is bald. Therefore, all grandfathers are bald." The conclusion does not follow logically from the statements.

Inductive reasoning has its place in the scientific method. Scientists use it to form hypotheses and theories. Deductive reasoning allows them to apply the theories to specific situations.

Examples of Inductive Reasoning

A third marble from the bag is black. Therefore all the marbles in the bag black.” The statement above is an example of inductive reasoning. Since the first marble from the bag was black, the second was black and the third was black the conclusion reached is that all the marbles in the bag are black.

Understanding Inductive Reasoning 

There are varying degrees of strength and weakness in inductive reasoning, and various types including statistical syllogism, arguments from example, causal inferences, simple inductions, and inductive generalizations. They can have part to whole relations, extrapolations, or predictions.

Some examples of inductive reasoning include:

·         Jennifer leaves for school at 7:00 a.m. Jennifer is always on time. Jennifer assumes, then, that she will always be on time if she leaves at 7:00 a.m.

·         The cost of goods was $1.00. The cost of labor to manufacture the time was $.50. The sales price of the item was $5.00; so, the item always provides a good profit.

·         Every windstorm in this area comes from the north. I can see a big cloud of dust caused by a windstorm in the distance; so, a new windstorm is coming from the north.

·         Bob is showing a big diamond ring to his friend Larry. Bob has told Larry that he is going to marry Joan. Bob has bought the diamond ring to give to Joan.

·         The chair in the living room is red. The chair in the dining room is red. The chair in the bedrrom is red. All chairs in the house are red.

·         Every time you eat peanuts, your throat sweels up and you can't breath. So, you are allergic to peanuts.

·         All cats that you have observed purr. Therefore, every cat must purr.

·         Two-thirds of the students at this college receive student aid. Therefore, two-thirds of all college students receive student aid.

·         All of the girls in the class were blond, therefore all girls in this neighborhood are blond.

·         Michael just moved here from Chicago. Michael has red hair, therefore people from Chicago have red hair.

·         The children in that house yell loudly when they play in their bedroom. I can hear children yelling in that house, therefore the children must nbe playing in their bedroom.

·         All chickens that we have seen have been brown; so, all chickens are brown.

·         All cars in this town drive on the right side of the street. Therefore, all cars in all towns drive on the right side of the street.

·         John is an excellent swimmer. John's family has a swimming pool. John's sister Mary must also be an excellent swimmer.

·         All basketball players in your school are tall, so all basketball players must be tall.

·         All brown dogs in the park are small dogs. Therefore, all small dogs are brown.

·         All children in the day care center like to play with Legos. All children, therefore, enjoy playing with Legos.

·         Ray is a football player. All football players weigh more than 170 pounds. Ray weighs more than 170 pounds.

·         All observed houses on the South Street are falling apart. Sherry lives on South Street. Her house is falling apart.