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What is Transductive Reasoning?

Answer – Transductive reasoning is an erroneous method of thinking where a cause and effect relationship is drawn between two events that are not logically connected.

Explanation:

In his theory of cognitive development, Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget divided children’s development into various stages. The second of these is the ‘preoperational’ stage, and begins at the point where the child is acquiring language abilities. They are, however, not yet able to meaningfully and logically manipulate the information they are receiving via language.

Among the characteristics of children in this stage is egocentrism – they are unable to develop ideas and perspectives outside of themselves. They cannot put themselves in someone else’s shoes and see things from this new viewpoint. 

An effect of this egocentrism is drawing erroneous cause and effect relationships, one of which is through transductive reasoning. Children engaging in this manner of thinking begin to relate specific, unrelated events that may occur close to each other. For instance, a child looking out of a window may observe a neighbor exiting their home just as snow begins to fall, and then believe that the latter has occurred because of the first.

Transductive reasoning is common among children of 2 to 7 years old. While it is flawed logic, it is indicative of the beginning of analytical thinking. 

Mainly associated with the intellectual development of children, transductive reasoning is also displayed by adults, though not as often. Superstitions are an example of transductive reasoning among adults.


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