+1 862 207 3288 CRITICAL THINKING: INFERENCES AND ASSUMPTIONS
As thinkers, we have to differentiate information, inferences and assumptions. When we infer, we draw conclusions (or pass judgment) on the basis of our interpretation of the evidence. We take one thing to mean that another thing will follow.
The way we interpret that evidence, however, is based on assumptions which are beliefs or ideas that are in our mind even before we see the evidence. Assumptions have more to do with our own personal world view than with what we actually see or hear.
We often make inferences based on assumptions that we don’t identify or even articulate. It is what we believe to be true because of our past experiences or deeply-held values.
Here are some examples:
INFERENCES
If it were noon, what might you infer? (It’s time for lunch.) *I use one thing: time of day to determine another thing—time to eat lunch*
If there are black clouds in the sky? (It’s probably going to rain.) * I use one thing: black clouds to determine another thing—that it will rain*
If Jack comes to school with a bump on his head? (He probably got hit.) * I use one thing: Jack’s bump to determine another thing—that it he got hit*
If there are webs in the corners of the ceiling? (Spiders made them.) * I use one thing: spider webs to determine another thing—that there are spiders there.*
If Jill is in the eighth grade? (She is probably 13 or 14 years old) * I use one thing: her grade to determine another thing—her age*
But these inferences are based on certain assumptions that I have not stated, but that influence why I have drawn these conclusions…
ASSUMPTIONS
If it were noon and you inferred that it was time for lunch, what did you assume? (That noon is time for lunch.)
If there are black clouds in the sky and you infer that it’s probably going to rain, what did you assume? (That it usually rains when black clouds are in the sky.)
If Jack comes to school with a bump on his head and you infer that he must have been hit, what did you assume? (That the only time you develop a bump on the head is when you are hit.)
NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN!
See if you can figure out the inferences and assumptions that can be made from the situations listed in the table below. Ask yourself what do I think will follow from the information provided? (inference) Then ask what must I assume is true in order for my inference to be true? (assumption)
There is more than one right answer. The first two give you an example. Fill in the rest.
INFORMATION (SITUATION) POSSIBLE INFERENCE THAT ONE MIGHT MAKE ASSUMPTION LEADING TO THE INFERENCE
1. You see a woman in a wheel chair. She must have a sad life. All people in wheelchairs have a sad life.
2. A police officer trails your car closely for several blocks. He is going to pull me over. That the officer is a “he”! Also, that whenever the police follow you they are going to pull you over.
3. You see a child crying next to her mother in the grocery store.
4. You meet a beautiful woman with blonde hair.
5. You notice a man in the library reading a book by Karl Marx
6. The teacher asks you to stay after class.
7. While in a restaurant, your friend orders a steak cooked very rare.
INFORMATION (SITUATION) POSSIBLE INFERENCE THAT ONE MIGHT MAKE ASSUMPTION LEADING TO THE INFERENCE
8. A friend tells you that she is pregnant and is going to have an abortion.
9. Your roommate insists on listening to loud music while you are trying to study.
10. The telephone rings in the middle of the night.
11. Your significant other does not call you when he/she promised.
12. Your significant other says “we need to talk.”
Source: Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life by Richard Paul and Linda Elder
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