Inductive reasoning aptitude (also called differentiation or inductive learning ability) measures how well a person can
identify a pattern within a large amount of data. It involves applying the rules of logic when inferring general principles from a constellation of particulars.
Measurement is generally done in a timed test by showing four pictures or words and asking the test taker to identify which of the pictures or words does not belong in the set. The test taker is shown a large number of sets of various degrees of difficulty. The measurement is made by timing how many of these a person can properly identify in a set period of time. The test resembles the
game 'Which of These Is Not Like the Others'.
Inductive reasoning is very useful for scientists, auto mechanics,
system integrator
A systems integrator (or system integrator) is a person or company that specializes in bringing together component subsystems into a whole and ensuring that those subsystems function together, a practice known as system integration. They also sol ...
s, lawyers, network engineers, medical doctors,
system administrator
A system administrator, or sysadmin, or admin is a person who is responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-user computers, such as servers. The system administrator seeks to en ...
s and members of all fields where substantial diagnostic or data interpretation work is needed. Inductive reasoning
aptitude
An aptitude is a component of a competence to do a certain kind of work at a certain level. Outstanding aptitude can be considered "talent". Aptitude is inborn potential to perform certain kinds of activities, whether physical or mental, and ...
is also useful for learning a
graphical user interface
The GUI ( "UI" by itself is still usually pronounced . or ), graphical user interface, is a form of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices through graphical icons and audio indicator such as primary notation, inst ...
quickly, because highly inductive people are very good at seeing others' categorization schemes.
Example
Here is an example question:
Find the set of letters that doesn’t belong with the other sets.
A) cdef B) mnpo C) hikj D) vwyx
The correct answer is...
→("A", as it is the only set with four letters in sequential order, although set "D" arguably differs by both lacking a vowel and being separated from the previous set by more than one intervening letter.)
See also
*
Aptitude test
An examination (exam or evaluation) or test is an educational assessment intended to measure a test-taker's knowledge, skill, aptitude, physical fitness, or classification in many other topics (e.g., beliefs). A test may be administered verba ...
*
Theory of multiple intelligences
The theory of multiple intelligences proposes the differentiation of human intelligence into specific modalities of intelligence, rather than defining intelligence as a single, general ability. The theory has been criticized by mainstream psycho ...
References
External links
Activities for Stimulating Inductive Reasoning*
*{{cite journal , author=Whitebread D , title=The development of children's strategies on an inductive reasoning task , journal=Br J Educ Psychol , volume=66 , issue=Pt 1 , pages=1–21 , date=March 1996 , doi=10.1111/j.2044-8279.1996.tb01172.x , pmid=8901168
Cognitive tests
Aptitude
Inductive reasoning