Omer Farooq Ahmed

BE20B023
3rd Year Undergraduate
Department of Biotechnology
Indian Institute of Technology, Madras

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The Ladder of
Inference
Omer Farooq Ahmed
 The Ladder of Inference is a tool that helps us understand how we think and process information. Its purpose is to help us become
more aware of our own thought processes and the mental models that influence our decisions and actions. By using the ladder of
inference, we can better understand how we arrive at our conclusions, and we can learn to challenge our assumptions and beliefs
to improve our decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

So lets learn in detail about the steps in the ladder of inference:

1.Data: At the bottom of the ladder is the data, which is the actual information that we observe and experience2
2.Selecting data: We selectively choose which data to pay attention to based on our beliefs, values, and past experiences.

3.Adding meaning: We add meaning to the data based on our interpretations and assumptions.
4.Making assumptions: We make assumptions about the meaning of the data based on our beliefs, values, and past
experiences.

5.Drawing conclusions: We draw conclusions based on the assumptions we've made about the data.
6.Adopting beliefs: We adopt beliefs based on the conclusions we've drawn, which can influence our future thoughts,
feelings, and actions.
7.Taking actions: We take actions based on our beliefs, which can have real-world consequences.

(from here I would take them back to previous slide and tally with previous picture
so that it gets in memory better…. )

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 Finally, we take action based on our beliefs.

This all happens in a blink of an eye, beneath the

surface of our awareness. The beliefs that emerge over
time influence the details we pay attention to as we
“go up the ladder.” The arrow to the right of the ladder shows how
our beliefs influence what we choose to notice. The R next
to the arrow means that our beliefs can reinforce what we
notice. This causal connection is a recursive relationship. The
stronger our beliefs, the more influence they have on what we notice.
As we go up the ladder, the more we notice the same things, and the
stronger our belief becomes. This creates a reinforcing, or feedback,
loop.

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Climbing Up the Ladder
Bottom:
We step up to the ladder with our background and experience. It’s morning, racing
to the car to get to work, I climb in and press the ignition.
1st Step:
We notice certain information and details. I don’t hear anything at all. Pressing the
ignition again – I hear nothing!
2nd Step:
We add our own meaning. The car is not going to start.
3rd Step:
We develop beliefs. The battery must be dead.
4th Step:
We do something – take action. I will call a service station to come help me start
my car.
 In this scenario, our beliefs from
previous experiences with keys
and cars are leading us to action.
But, because of the ladder’s
reinforcing loop, there is a failure
to notice other details.
Climbing Down the Ladder
4th Step:
Why am I doing this? I need to get my car started.
3rd Step:
What makes me believe the battery is dead? The car didn’t start; it didn’t make any sounds whatsoever. That has
happened to me before and the battery was dead.
2nd Step:
Is the assumption attached to the event valid? Well, maybe, but it could be something else. This is a different car,
much newer than I have ever had before. I’ve never had a car without a key. This fob thing is new to me.
1st Step:
What data am I paying attention to? Why? The car didn’t start when I pressed the ignition button. It was silent.
That’s what I listen for when a car is starting and I need to get to work. 7
 HALON`S RAZOR

Never attribute to Malice that which can be

adequately explained by Neglect

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 It is easy to assume that the hurtful actions
of others are intentionally designed to harm
us, particularly since we are prone to Heuristic: A mental shortcut that can help
cognitive biases such as the  us make faster judgments in situations
spotlight effect and the affect heuristic.  which are vague or complex. Heuristics can
In many cases, the other people in our lives either be helpful or damaging depending on
may simply not possess the awareness or the context.
knowledge to understand the impact of
their actions. Acknowledging the Spotlight Effect: This bias describes the
information asymmetry can help us to egocentric tendency for individuals to
communicate better and improve our assume that more attention is focused on
relationships – with our friends, co- them and their actions than actually is the
workers, partners, and yes, your annoying case.
roommate.

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 When we are slighted or ignored, it’s all
too easy to assume malicious intent, all
the while forgetting how many times
we have treated others in a similar way.
In reality, people are as neglectful,
distracted, tired, misunderstanding, and
incompetent as us. It is rarely the case
that they are malicious.  
FROM OCCAM'S RAZOR. 
Hanlon’s Razor can be considered to be 
Occam's razor applied to social
relationships, use it to develop an
objective and rational approach that
can interrupt anger at a perceived
affront. In doing so, it can help you to
be less judgmental and reactive as you
maintain openness and curiosity to
develop better relationships.

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