Inductive thinking: features, varieties and development tips

Often, the reliability of the investigation of a situation depends on the chosen way of thinking. Information can be obtained by moving from the analysis of parts of the object to the subsequent study of the entire subject. It's about induction.

To think inductively means a transition from a particular case, a separate fact to a generalization, which is based on the coinciding properties that are required for all studied objects. For example, studies of the solubility of ammonia, potassium, calcium, sodium nitrate in liquid led scientists to the idea that all nitrate dissolves well in water. Inductive thinking is characterized by the transition from a specific image to the generalization of facts and the derivation of general rules.

This means that at the moment of tracking some phenomena or studying objects, human thought seeks out homogeneous signs or general patterns and forms a single position for them. Observations allow us to come to a general conclusion.

An inductive thought process is not about inventing a rule for discovering scientific truths. Inductive thinking presuppose confirmation of a reliable conclusion based on premises, specific observations. The final argument serves as confirmation of the truth of the conclusion. A theory is built on the basis of the generalization of explanations.

The method is widely used in science. At the initial stage, it lends itself to research, in contrast to the deductive method aimed at proving and confirming hypotheses.An inductive thought act is focused on the creation of new theories that arise in the course of studying specific facts. The information is descriptive and can be compared.

It is not recommended to rely only on the inductive thought process without the parallel use of deductive thinking. It is best to arrive at an end result that is deductively obtained and supported by inductive evidence.

Using only the inductive method can lead to a false conclusion. For example, everyone knows that sugar, soda and salt dissolve perfectly in water. These are free-flowing substances. As a result, it can be falsely concluded that all bulk solids dissolve well in water. Sand is a free-flowing substance, therefore, it dissolves well in water. However, it is not.

There is an expression "female logic". It appeared due to the habit of women to draw conclusions from separately snatched phrases uttered by someone. For example, the head of the family reproached his wife for oversalting the soup. On another occasion, he asked her why the jacket had not yet been ironed. Based on two comments, the wife concludes that her husband considers her a bad housewife. Men tend to think in a deductive way. They perceive logic and integrity, while women perceive specifics and details.

With the prevalence of induction in mental activity, conclusions appear that do not always correspond to the truth. Only the simultaneous correct use of inductive and deductive methods can save a person from pathology in the thought process. The types of inductive thinking include generalization, statistical syllogism, simple induction, an argument from analogy, random inference, forecasting.

• Generalization is based on a separate premise that leads to a general conclusion. Example: a girl liked the story "Fire" by Valentin Rasputin. She wanted to study all the writer's work, because she is sure that all the works are of great interest to readers.
• Statistical syllogism leads from generalization to inference about the individual. For example, a flu epidemic began in the village. Victor is a resident of this village. Hence, he can get the flu.
• Simple induction comes from the premise of a small sample to inference about another person... An example can be given. Before the guests arrive, the sister tidies up her room. The next visit of acquaintances again encourages the sister to clean the apartment. This means that the sister cleans up every time before visiting friends of the family hearth.
• The analogy argument assumes taking into account the common qualities of several objects with the subsequent conclusion that things can have other properties as well. For example, wool is to a sheep what milk is to a cow.
• An accidental conclusion can be established as a result of the relationship of two objects indicating a causal relationship between them. Other established data must confirm this connection. Thus, a study of male alcoholism revealed that some of the test drunkards in childhood observed the drinking of their parents. Conclusion: the frequent use of alcoholic beverages in the family is the cause of alcoholism in men.
• Prediction is preceded by patterns taken from a past life. For example, an acquaintance bought a lottery ticket and won a lot of money, therefore, by purchasing such tickets, I can also unexpectedly get rich.

To form an inductive thought process it is necessary to develop flexibility of thinking in general. To do this, you need to expand your horizons, increase your own living space. A person who thinks one-sidedly is not capable of constructing a multitude of probabilities for the development of events, fully and reliably explaining any phenomenon.

The formulation of conclusions should be made only on the basis of accurate judgments. The concept of the truth and reliability of information can only be formed upon receipt of specific conclusions. To this end, it is necessary to turn to new knowledge gleaned from the books read. Reading develops the mental activity of an individual who mentally builds interconnected chains of information received, arrives at the correct result. Solving logical and mathematical problems allows you to train both inductive and deductive ways of thinking.