Introduction
Different models were designed to realize the thinking in the Presentation of the Models of Thinking. At the same time, being involved in reflective discussion, I have chosen the Ladder of Inference model, which is mostly my way of thinking while reading and answering the questions from the Inferences and Assumptions Exercise. This model shows how people can quickly jump into conclusion and tend to judge only based on the little information available, which was my issue with the session.
The Ladder of Inference Model
The Ladder of Inference model outlines a mental framework for someone to comprehend how the brain processes thoughts (Indeed Editorial Team, 2022). Initially, people draw facts and experiences, and then they proceed by new information previously known one by one, and finally they attach the significance to the information. In this process, the judgments are made, the conclusions are provided, and the faith is reinforced. The method focuses on the fact that we tend to see the world from our own view point, which means that our previous ideas may influence what we receive and the conclusions we have drawn. According to Fiester (2024), the presence of this cycling loop call for self-awareness and mindful review of pre-judgments to minimize the action of bias and improve the rationality in decision making procedures.
Underlying Assumptions and Inferences
In the course of the situation analysis steps analysis in the conclusions and Assumptions Exercise, I noticed that I were making implicitly assume and conclusion. When the story started to outline a person asking for money from the businessman, I could sense the role being played by the individual whose work was that of a thief. This assumption in line that the petition was taking place because of the unlawful intentions of the person (Marcel, 2022). In this case, it implies our beliefs and every day’s knowledge are built on the ideas and standards that we have acquired during our life and they are infused into our thinking, making us do the inferences based on those hidden assumptions. The tendency to hurry in the process of developing analogies emphasizes the tools of objective thinking that we use for rational reasoning. Thus, the importance of calm self-reflection and careful consideration prior all the deciding is more adequate while dealing with complicated matters. Besides, by observing the merchant has surrendered and opened the cash register, I knew he has followed this call. This conclusion would come from believing that the businessman interpreted the merchant’s desire as a threat and reacted to provably disastrous consequences. Furthermore, I concluded that the entrepreneur must have known of the individual’s identity because there were no other circumstances that gave contrary impressions.
Thought Processes
The approach to drawing conclusions from the scenario in the exercise was heavily contingent on the steps of the Ladder of Inference model. Starting with the observed and concrete, such as a businessman closing the shop and a man appearing suddenly and asking for money, I ascended the ladder of inference. I understood it in the context of my preconceived notions and beliefs. Then I viewed the man’s request for money as a threat which is similar by nature to what I used to perceive as a crime. Therefore, I deduced that the man was a robber. By and large, that was the lens through which I saw the rest of the exercise, especially in terms of the nature of the statements. Through this revelation, I came to understand that my beliefs influence how I comprehend and make decisions, underscoring the significance of introspection and objectivity in resolving bias.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Ladder of Inference model offers a valuable tool for understanding the processes through which people come to make their assumptions and draw their conclusions even when they are based on very limited information. Recognizing that our beliefs and preferences serve as guideposts for our thinking processes helps us to sharpen our information processing skills and make better-informed decisions. Through this process of reflection, I got an idea about my own thinking process and how they impact the way I understand things.
References
Marcel, F. D. (2022). The Ladder of Inference re-visited:“Don’t jump to confusions!”. Canadian Medical Education Journal, 13(5), 1. https://doi.org/10.36834%2Fcmej.76000
Fiester, A. (2024, March). The “ladder of inference” as a conflict management tool: working with the “difficult” patient or family in healthcare ethics consultations. In HEC Forum (Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 31-44). Dordrecht: Springer Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10730-022-09476-w
Indeed Editorial Team. (2022). The ladder of inference: Understanding the 7 rungs | indeed.com. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/ladder-of-inference
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