Shall we learn about the 'Inductive Reasoning' we use without realizing it?

Imagine you are getting ready to go to work in the morning. When you look out the window, the sky is very dark and gloomy. Last night, the news on TV said that rain is expected. Even though you wouldn't normally carry an umbrella, you put it in your bag today. Why did you do that? You combined your past experiences (when it rained when the sky was dark) and the information you received (the news), and made a small guess that 'there is a high chance of rain today'. This is what we simply call 'inductive reasoning' or (Inductive Reasoning) . This is an amazing mental process that we all use in our daily lives, but we don't know the exact name for it.

What exactly is inductive reasoning?

Simply put, this means using what you know and your past experiences to make an educated guess about what might happen in the future. That is, making a decision about what is most likely to happen, even if we are not 100% sure. It is like a little scientific experiment.

This process happens like this:

1. Collecting information and experiences: We collect what we remember about something, what we have seen, and what we have heard.

2. Form a hypothesis: Based on that information, we think 'this is what might happen' or 'this is what could happen'.

3. Adding new information: Adding more information to that idea.

4. Confirming the idea: Finally, there is confirmation that 'what I thought was right'.

This may sound like a big deal, but we all do this every day. Let's look at some more examples, shall we?

Other times we use this in everyday life

Let's see how much we use this 'inferential reasoning' without even realizing it.

Example 1: Choosing a dress for a child

Imagine your child is going to a tutoring class in the afternoon. It is a bit windy and cold today. You remember how the other day you caught a cold playing outside in the cold. So, even though the child doesn't like it, you put a thick sweater on him. After class, the child says, "Mom, it's good that you put it on, it was really cold." Here, you used a decision made after reasoning about your past experience and the current situation.

Example 2: Buying a gift for mom

Let's say you're shopping for a gift for your mom's birthday. You suddenly remember that your mom told you last week that one of her sari tops is old. You also know that your mom loves the color blue, but she doesn't like shiny fabrics at all . Putting all this information together, you choose a nice, non-shiny blue top. What you've done here is use what you know about your mom to make a guess about a gift that she would be happy with.

What is the brain's connection to this ability?

Our brain is an amazing organ. The most important things like higher-level thinking, reasoning, planning, and decision-making are controlled by the frontal lobe, the part under the forehead . So, this process of inferential reasoning is directly related to this part of the brain.

What medical conditions can affect inferential reasoning?

Any condition that damages the frontal lobe of the brain in some way can affect our ability to think logically and make decisions. Below are some of these conditions.

Additionally, mental health conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or phobias can also affect the way a person reasons and makes decisions.

How do you find out if this is the case?

If your doctor suspects a problem with your thinking, memory, or decision-making abilities, they may order various tests to pinpoint the cause.

What are the treatments for these conditions?

The treatment depends on your underlying condition. The main goal is to help you perform daily activities with ease. Here are some of the treatments your doctor may recommend.

• Cognitive rehabilitation: Training in ways to make everyday tasks easier, for example, how to organize things and how to retain memory.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A highly effective counseling method that helps change faulty thinking patterns and behaviors.
• Occupational therapy: Helping you to perform daily tasks (such as dressing, eating, etc.) independently.
• Physical therapy: Helping to improve body movement and strength.
• Speech and language therapy: To overcome difficulties in speaking and expressing ideas.
• Medication and psychotherapy: Both of these methods can be used together to manage mental illnesses.

What can we do to protect this ability of the brain?

The best way to preserve this valuable ability of ours is to keep our brains healthy. It's important to get used to these things from a young age. Here are some simple things you can do to do that:

• Eat a balanced diet: Eat more nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and fish.
• Exercise regularly: Get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. Even walking is good enough.
• Get enough sleep: Getting at least 7-8 hours of restful sleep every night is essential for the brain.
• Protect your head: Wear a seat belt when riding in vehicles and a helmet when riding a bicycle/motorcycle.
• Avoid smoking completely: Smoking increases the risk of brain-damaging diseases such as stroke.
• Control your alcohol consumption: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.