Inferential learning refers to a type of learning that involves constructing new knowledge by **thinking** (National Academies, 2018). The knowledge produced in this manner does not necessarily need to have any connection to **experiences**, although it originates in them. From the [[Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning]]: >**Inferential reasoning** refers to making logical connections between pieces of information in order to organize knowledge for understanding and to drawing conclusions through deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, and abductive reasoning. An **inference** refers to both the *process* of **reaching a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning**, and also the *outcome* of that process. This is in contrast to **acquisitive learning** (which focuses on observable behavior of the learner and involves the idea that behavior can be changed by feedback from the environment) and **experiential learning** ([[Experiential Learning Theory]], also referred to as [[Meaningful learning involves understanding learned information deeply and relating it to one's prior knowledge|meaningful learning]]). Inferential learning includes the following **forms of inference** (Seel, 2012): 1. **Deductive reasoning**: Deriving logical conclusions from a set of premises assumed to be true (truth-conserving thinking) 2. **Inductive reasoning**: Deriving a universal conclusion based on particular evidence, i.e., developing general rules, ideas, and concepts from individual examples (context-extending thinking aiming at predictive inferences) 3. **Abductive reasoning**: Deriving the simplest and most likely conclusion from a set of observations, without positively verifying it. It involves "reasoning backward" from consequences to antecedents to infer an explanation (or hypothesis) of why observations could have occurred. ![[Pasted image 20220712084846.png]] **Model building** is an important special case of abductive inference (National Academies, 2018). [[Mental models are a type of cognitive structure that encode and represent an individual's lifetime experiences and learnings]]. --- Created: [[2022-07-12]] Type: #permanent Topics: [[Learning (Index)]] Related notes: - [[What are the different types of learning?]]