Analyzing Assumptions and Inferences – A Critical Reflection on the Exercise

Analyzing Assumptions and Inferences – A Critical Reflection on the Exercise

Understanding Inferences and Assumptions

The inferences and assumptions exercise, derived from a story by William V. Haney, serves as an effective tool to distinguish between inferences and assumptions. Engaging with this exercise highlighted the need to discern direct conclusions from the provided information and differentiate them from assumptions.

Underlying Assumptions

A primary assumption was that a man appeared after the store lights were turned off. Given the narrative structure, it seemed logical. Another assumption was that the robber was a man. While the story mentions a man demanding money, it does not explicitly confirm he is the robber. The statement that it was broad daylight when the man appeared was another unfounded assumption, as the story does not specify the time of day (Schlegel & Parascando, 2020). Lastly, assuming the store owner scooped up the cash register contents and ran away contradicts the narrative.

Logical Inferences

In contrast, the exercise required several logical inferences. For instance, the statement that someone opened a cash register is directly supported by the story. Another inference is that after the man demanded money and scooped up the cash register contents, he ran away. This aligns with the narrative. Lastly, inferring that the cash register contained money, although the amount is unknown, is supported by the story’s details.

Conclusion

Reflecting on this exercise, it is evident how crucial it is to differentiate between inferences and assumptions. Misidentifying these can lead to misunderstandings and errors in judgment. Recognizing these differences enhances critical thinking skills, ensuring our conclusions are well-founded and our assumptions critically evaluated. This exercise underscores the importance of careful analysis in developing sound reasoning and avoiding unsubstantiated beliefs. This process is vital for effective decision-making in both personal and professional contexts.

References

Schlegel, D., & Parascando, J. (2020). What’s Happening in Your Head: Overcoming Our Assumptions to Work Better Together. MedEdPORTAL, 16(1), 11034. https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.11034

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The differences between inferences and assumptions are:

Assumption: This is a piece of information or a belief we take for granted as true. We usually apply this to our thinking to develop an inference.
Inference: This occurs when deciding that something is true in light of some other piece(s) of knowledge (or assumptions) being true or present in the field. It is also known as a conclusion.

Analyzing Assumptions and Inferences – A Critical Reflection on the Exercise

Both assumptions and inferences can be logical or not and justified or not.

Read and complete the Inferences and Assumptions Exercise without discussing your responses with anyone else. After you complete the exercise, your faculty member will provide the answers.

Write a 250- to 300-word response to the following:

Discuss the Inferences and Assumptions Exercise. Identify and rationalize any underlying assumptions and inferences you made.