Individuals approach the problem-solving process from a number of angles, coming to conclusions using various logical processes. Academicians and philosophers have widely studied the critical thought process, assigning names to the various processes and seeking to explain and understand how individuals come to conclusions. The deductive process is a way of thinking logically in order to come to a conclusion, or solve a problem.
Commonly referred to as deductive reasoning, this form of logic can be explained as “the ‘top-down’ approach [to reasoning] because the researcher starts at the top with a very broad spectrum of information and [then] they work their way down to a specific conclusion” (Crossman, n.d.). Through the deductive process, an individual begins by considering the truths that are known to them in order to come to a conclusion (“More on Logic, n.d.). For example, an employee knows that if he/she works 8 hours and earns $8 an hour, he/she will earn $64 per day worked. This employee also knows that he/she is scheduled to work 3 days that week, 8 hours per day. The employee can then conclude that he/she will earn $192 that week. The amount that the employee would earn that week is not concerned a known truth. On the other hand, the employee already knows his/her wage and how many hours and days he/she will be working that week. As such, the employee was able to use deductive reasoning to come to a conclusion regarding how much he/she would make that week.
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The deductive process should not be confused with the inductive process, which is an opposing theory of logic, and often explained alongside the deductive process. The terms “deductive process” and “deductive reasoning” are often used interchangeably and do not differ in their definition.
- Crossman, Ashley. “Deductive Reasoning versus Inductive Reasoning” (n.d.). About.com. Retrieved from: http://sociology.about.com/od/Research/a/Deductive-Reasoning- Versus-Inductive-Reasoning.htm
- “More on Logic” (n.d.). University of Utah. Retrieved from: http://www.psych.utah.edu/gordon/Classes/Psy4905Docs/PsychHistory/Cards/Logic.html
