By Indeed Editorial Team Show
Updated August 17, 2022 | Published May 7, 2019 Updated August 17, 2022 Published May 7, 2019 There are many mental tools we can use and improve upon to make important decisions at work. Reasoning is one that often occurs naturally and includes inductive, deductive and abductive methods. Deductive reasoning is a logical approach where you progress from general ideas to specific conclusions. It allows you to take information from two or more statements and draw a logically sound conclusion. In this article, we define what deductive reasoning is and how you can use it in professional settings. What is deductive reasoning?Deductive reasoning is drawing conclusions based on premises generally assumed to be true. Also called "deductive logic," it uses a logical assumption to reach a logical conclusion. Deductive reasoning is often referred to as "top-down reasoning." If something is assumed to be accurate and another relates to the first assumption, the original truth must also hold true for the second. For example, if a car’s trunk is large and a bike does not fit into it, you may assume the bike must also be large. We know this because we were already provided with the information we believe is accurate—the trunk is large. Based on our deductive reasoning skills, we know that if a bike does not fit in an already large trunk, it must also be large. So long as the two premises are based on accurate information, the outcome of this type of conclusion is often true. Related: How to Improve Your Deductive Reasoning Skills (With Examples and Tips) Syllogism deductive reasoningOne of the most common types of deductive reasoning is syllogism. Syllogism refers to two statements—a major and a minor—joining to form a logical conclusion. The two accurate statements mean that the statement will likely be valid for all additional premises of that category. The reliability of deductive reasoningWhile deductive reasoning is considered a reliable form of testing, it’s important to recognize it may sometimes lead to a false conclusion. This generally occurs when one of the first assumptive statements is false. It is also possible to come to an accurate conclusion even if one or both of the generalized premises are false. Deductive reasoning examplesHere are several examples to help you better understand deductive reasoning:
Each of these statements includes two accurate pieces of information and an assumption based on the first two pieces. As long as the first two pieces of information are correct, the presumption should also be accurate. Deductive reasoning processDeductive thought uses only information assumed to be accurate. It does not include emotions, feelings, or assumptions without evidence because it’s difficult to determine the accuracy of this information. Understanding the process of deductive reasoning can help you apply logic to solve challenges in your work. The process of deductive reasoning includes:
Related: The Best Ways to Strengthen Your Logical Thinking Skills When to use deductive reasoningThere are many ways you can use deductive reasoning to make decisions in your professional life. Here are a few ways you can use this process to draw conclusions throughout your career: Using deductive reasoning in the workplaceApplying existing deductive reasoning skills during decision-making will help you make better-informed choices in the workplace. You may use deductive reasoning when finding and acquiring a job, hiring employees, managing employees, working with customers and making various business or career decisions. Deductive reasoning in the workplace requires the following skills: Problem-solvingMany roles require you to use problem-solving skills to overcome challenges and discover reliable resolutions. You can apply the deductive reasoning process to your problem-solving efforts by first identifying an accurate assumption you can use as a foundation for your solution. Deductive reasoning often leads to fewer errors because it reduces the guesswork. TeamworkMany organizations expect employees to work together in teams to achieve results. Teams often have employees with varying work styles, which can hinder collaboration and reduce productivity. Using the process of deductive reasoning, you can identify where the problem lies, draw accurate conclusions, and help team members align. Customer serviceYou can apply deductive reasoning skills to the customer service experience, too. Using this process, you can determine an appropriate solution to a customer’s problem. By identifying what the customer is unhappy with and then connecting it to what you know about their experience, you can adequately address their concern and increase customer satisfaction. Highlight your deductive reasoning skills when looking for a jobWhile deductive reasoning is often used in the research and science industries, it can also be applied in nearly any position where you have to make important decisions or solve complex challenges. Because many employers value problem-solving abilities, it’s helpful to highlight your deductive reasoning skills during the hiring process. You can demonstrate your deductive reasoning knowledge by listing it as a skill on your resume or sharing it in a cover letter. During interviews, discuss examples of how you use deductive reasoning in your current role, or how you’ll apply this skill in your new position. Using deductive reasoning with the STAR methodUsing the STAR interview technique is a great opportunity to demonstrate a scenario in which you used deductive reasoning in a professional environment. The STAR technique includes the following parts:
Related: What is the STAR Method? Taylor, explains a way to stand out during an interview when answering behavioral interview questions using the STAR Method, a strategic storytelling tool. Practicing the STAR technique ahead of time can help you prepare for an upcoming interview. It can also help you find ways to include examples of deductive reasoning while also demonstrating your problem-solving skills. Deductive reasoning helps reach conclusions, such as solving a problem or overcoming a challenge. Strengthening this skill set can help you impress employers throughout your job search and improve your performance at work. Other types of reasoningTwo other main reasoning processes can be helpful in certain situations: Inductive reasoningInductive reasoning is the opposite of deductive reasoning. In this process, you would gather generalized information from specific scenarios to come to a conclusion, rather than taking specific assumptions from generalized scenarios. Inductive reasoning is often used to create a hypothesis rather than apply them to different scenarios. With inductive reasoning, the accuracy of the outcome is probable but not always true, even if each of the first two statements is accurate. Here are several examples of inductive reasoning:
Each of these statements could imply the final premise to be true. However, it is also possible that the first assumption(s) are not rooted in fact, which means the conclusion could also be false. Image description Inductive vs. deductive: Abductive reasoningAbductive reasoning uses all the available information, even if incomplete, to determine the most likely outcome or an educated guess. While it uses the best information currently available, it’s usually not enough to make a fully informed, certain conclusion. With abductive reasoning, it is also possible that the conclusion cannot be tested. Related: 39 Types of Thought Processes Which of the following is the best description of scientific management?Which of the following best describes scientific management? A theory of motivation holding that managers should analyze jobs to find the most efficient methods and use money as a primary motivator.
Which statement about worker motivation is most consistent with the findings of the Hawthorne studies quizlet?Which of the following statements about worker motivation is most consistent with the findings of the Hawthorne studies? Workers are more motivated if they feel they are part of a special group or project. Maslow was mainly concerned with explaining how: human motivation was related to a hierarchy of needs.
Who is considered the father of scientific management quizlet?What is Frederick Taylor known for? Human efficiency engineer Frederick Taylor was one of the first people to study management and has been called the father of scientific management. He conducted time-motion studies to learn the most efficient way of doing a job and then trained workers in those procedures.
Which of these are basic elements of Taylor's scientific management?Taylor Advocated the following elements of scientific management. :. Work Study,. Standardisation of Tools and Equipment,. Scientific Selection, Placement and Training,. Development of Functional Foremanship,. Introducing Costing System,. Mental Revolution.. |