The Ladder of Inference

The Ladder of inference

  

We all make assumptions and draw conclusions. The trouble is that when we have drawn a conclusion, we may come to believe that:
 • the same truth is obvious to everyone
 • our assumptions are founded on fact
 • what we believe we see is ‘the truth’.


 When we say ‘the fact is …’, we are actually saying: ‘as I understand it, based upon the data I have selected, my cultural background, personal experiences,  value judgments, beliefs and assumptions, the fact is …’ 


Using the Ladder of inference 


We all know that people jump to conclusions pretty frequently. The more stressed and pressured people feel, the more likely this is. One good tool for the interpersonal toolbox is to know about the Ladder of inference so that you can catch yourself before you over-react or ‘climb the ladder’ too quickly.

So much information comes our way every day that to deal with it all we selectively edit it and make assumptions based on our pre-established beliefs. So what’s the problem? While our beliefs may be our truth, they aren’t always the truth. Conflict arises when two or more people of differing opinions need their truth to be recognised  as the truth. 


Tip 


Take notice of when you’re climbing the Ladder of inference — drawing conclusions and making assumptions — throughout the day. When you conclude that someone’s a jerk, ask yourself what it is about the person that gives you this opinion; if you find yourself strongly disagreeing with someone  else, ask yourself what it is about your own opinion that’s so meaningful to you; if you find yourself getting tense and resisting someone  else’s opinion or request of you, ask yourself what it is about the situation  that makes you think you have no choice. 


Just taking notice and questioning  ourselves about our assumptions creates  some space for the possibility that our belief may not be the only way of seeing something. At the very least, we’ll have fewer disagreements and a little less stress. 


The Ladder of inference helps us to:
 • reflect on and become more aware of our own thinking process and make them more visible to others
 • find out how other people think and see what links and assumptions they make
 • determine  how valid our beliefs and assumptions are
 • track back to how we came to conclusions that lead to actions, and test whether our conclusions and assumptions are backed up by observable data.

Let’s try the Ladder of inference
 • I start by observing what I see (observable  data).
 • I can’t see everything and I select some details of what I see (selective perception).
 • I then add my own meaning to the data I have selected, based  on my culture, values and belief system.
 • I then build on this and make further assumptions (generalising or stereotyping).
 • I make a general conclusion that affects my feelings and behaviour (anger, defensiveness, hostility, insecurity etc.).
 • I now take actions or behave in certain ways based  on my beliefs.