A researcher had evidence that unemployed spouse abusers recidivate (i.e., reoffend). So, when he conducted an interview with Joe, an unemployed spouse abuser, he concluded that Joe would most likely recidivate. What type of reasoning did this researcher use to make his conclusion?
A) inductive reasoning
B) deductive reasoning
C) overgeneralization
D) selective observation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning is a type of logical reasoning that draws a conclusion from a general statement to a specific case. In this case, the researcher had evidence that unemployed spouse abusers recidivate (i.e., reoffend). This is a general statement. The researcher then interviewed Joe, an unemployed spouse abuser. This is a specific case. The researcher concluded that Joe would most likely recidivate. This conclusion is based on the general statement that unemployed spouse abusers recidivate. Therefore, the researcher used deductive reasoning to make his conclusion.

A Researcher Had Evidence That Unemployed Spouse Abusers Recidivate (I