Reflective Discussion – Applying the Ladder of Inference

Reflective Discussion – Applying the Ladder of Inference

Regarding the thinking process involved when looking at the Inferences and Assumptions Exercise, the closest model is the Ladder of Inference. Described by Chris Argyris, it explains how people transform raw details or facts into conclusions and possible actions. Through analyzing this model, I will try to ponder my reasoning when justifying the situation described in the exercise.

Explanation of the Model

The Ladder of Inference has several steps, with the base step representing observable data and experiences. The other steps are choosing data, attaching meaning, making assumptions, arriving at conclusions, embracing beliefs, and, lastly, acting on those beliefs. The reflexive loop shows how our beliefs can influence the data we select in the future, creating a cycle that reinforces our existing perceptions (Schlegel & Parascando, 2020). This model is particularly useful in breaking down the cognitive processes that lead to our conclusions and actions.

Underlying Assumptions and Inferences

In the Inferences and Assumptions Exercise, my application of the Ladder of Inference began with the observable data: a businessman switching off the store light, a man smoking and ordering the businessman to pay him, the businessman opening the cash register, and the man running away. I decided to limit the data to the series of events and intentions and behavior of the people involved. Intending meanings to these observations, I deduced that the man was possibly a robber and that the cash register held cash.

From these meanings, I can make several assumptions. Specifically, I expected that the lights would be switched off, then the man would emerge and ask for money, and finally, the cash register would be opened. I also superimposed the assumption that the man was a robber since he demanded money and acted in a suggestive way. These assumptions, although they appear realistic, were never fully verified by the plot, thus depicting how easy it is to arrive at an assumption with limited information (Loog, 2020).

Thought Processes and Drawing Conclusions

The Ladder of Inference can be described as a sequence of cognitive steps with critical-thinking evaluation at each level. When analyzing the given scenario in my first step, I just noted the detailed information concerning the given case. Then, I consciously chose relevant fragments of information, such as the demand for money and the cash register that had been opened. Giving these observations context, I translated them into a robbery using the standard paradigm of such deeds.

Some suppositions were made over the identity of the robber and his goal; however, there is no direct indication given in the story. These assumptions bring out conclusions corresponding to paradigms in society regarding robberies. For example, when I summarized that the man who asked for money and picked up money from the cash register was the robber. The aforementioned conclusions thus form the basis of my beliefs regarding the given scenario and responses to the statements in the exercise.

Impact of Reflexive Loop

According to the Ladder of Inference, the reflexive loop that goes back up from the fourth step to the third step shows how our beliefs affect the data that we select. Here, my suspicion that this man was a robber affected the details I paid much attention to, including his request to be given money and the behavior exhibited as soon as the cash register was opened. Perhaps due to this belief, there may have been other explanations for the events described in the story that I was able to overlook or regard as insignificant. Knowing this reflexive loop is critical because, in turn, it exposes the possibility of bias within reasoning systems and the necessity of questioning preconceptions (D’Eon, 2022).

Integration of Gemini AI

Gemini AI, a tool designed for interactive querying and research assistance, was integrated into my thought process to enhance my research on employee retention. This involved crafting specific prompts to gather relevant academic resources. For example, starting with a broad request for recent articles on employee retention, I refined my queries to focus on articles from top business journals and delved into specific methodologies and findings. Using Gemini influenced my creative thinking by enabling me to approach my research more systematically and critically (Pichai & Hassabis, 2023). It provided a structured way to explore different perspectives and identify research gaps, thereby supporting my dissertation development.

Conclusion

Overall, the Ladder of Inference is useful in describing the kind of thinking that I used when undertaking the Inferences and Assumptions exercise. It underscores the need to be aware of each phase of our thought processes and how simple prejudices might impact our conclusions. With the help of this model, it will be easier for me to determine what kind of thinking I did and whether the conclusions were justified. This self-reflection is especially important in the learning process, the enhancement of critical judgment, and problem-solving in one’s life.

Gemini Prompting Exercise Results and Reflection

Results from the Gemini Prompting Exercise

1. Persona Definition: A doctoral student preparing to write a dissertation on employee retention
2. Research Focus: Impact of remote work on retention effectiveness of specific retention programs
3. Broad Query: “Find 10 recent academic articles on employee retention strategies in today’s business environment.”
4. Source Refinement: “From the articles you found, identify 5 that are published in top business journals.”
5. Specific Findings: “Summarize the key factors contributing to employee turnover identified in the study ‘Employee Turnover in the Remote Work Era’ (Leider et al., 2022).
6. Compare & Contrast: “How do the employee retention strategies proposed in ‘Remote Work Retention Strategies’ and ‘In-Office Retention Programs’ differ (Khalil & Alameddine, 2020).
7. Methodology Focus: “Explain the research methods used in ‘Remote Work Retention Strategies’ and their potential strengths and weaknesses for investigating employee retention.” (Kowalski & Ślebarska, 2022).
8. Different Perspectives: “What are the main criticisms of traditional employee retention models in the context of remote work?”
9. Research Gaps: “According to this set of articles, what are the key areas where further research on employee retention is needed?”
10. Support for Dissertation: “Can you help me find evidence from recent academic research to support this claim: Remote work flexibility improves employee retention rates.”
11. Research Question Refinement: “Is the following research question clear and focused for my dissertation on employee retention: How does remote work flexibility impact employee retention rates in tech companies?”

Reflection on Gemini’s Influence on Creative Thinking

Working with Gemini AI significantly influenced my creative thinking by providing a structured and interactive approach to research. It helped me identify and refine my research focus, systematically gather relevant information, and critically evaluate different perspectives. The tool’s ability to generate targeted responses based on specific prompts facilitated deeper insights into employee retention strategies, allowing me to develop a more nuanced understanding of the topic. This process not only enhanced the quality of my research but also honed my ability to formulate precise and impactful research questions, ultimately supporting my dissertation development.

 References

D’Eon, M. F. (2022). The Ladder of Inference re-visited: “Don’t jump to confusions!” Canadian Medical Education Journal, 13(5), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.36834/cmej.76000

Khalil, M., & Alameddine, M. (2020). Recruitment and retention strategies, policies, and their barriers: A narrative review in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Health Science Reports, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.192

Kowalski, G., & Ślebarska, K. (2022). Remote working and work effectiveness: A leader perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215326

Leider, J. P., Shah, G. H., Yeager, V. A., Yin, J., & Kusuma Madamala. (2022). Turnover, COVID-19, and Reasons for Leaving and Staying Within Governmental Public Health. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 29(Supplement 1), S54–S63. https://doi.org/10.1097/phh.0000000000001634

Loog, L. (2020). Sometimes hidden but always there: the assumptions underlying genetic inference of demographic histories. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 376(1816), 20190719. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0719

Pichai, S., & Hassabis, D. (2023, December 6). Introducing Gemini: our largest and most capable AI model. Google. https://blog.google/technology/ai/google-gemini-ai/

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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Choose 1 model of thinking from the presentation that most likely represents your model of thinking while you were reading and answering the questions from the Inferences and Assumptions Exercise in the Wk 3 Discussion 1 – Inferences and Assumptions.

Applying the Ladder of Inference

Use the Student Paper Template to write a 500- to 700-word reflective discussion in which you:

Identify the model of thinking you chose.
Explain the model and any underlying assumptions and inferences you made while rationalizing the scenario presented in the Inferences and Assumptions Exercise.
Explain what thought processes you used to draw conclusions from the scenario in the exercise.

Format citations and references according to APA 7th edition guidelines.