During a class examination,the course instructor notes that a student who usually does poorly in class tests has shaking hands,knocks over a bottle of water,breaks the points of two pencils,makes many erasures,and wrinkles her computer score sheet.The instructor concludes that the student has test anxiety.What type of reasoning is demonstrated by the instructor?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The instructor is observing specific behaviors and drawing a general conclusion (that the student has test anxiety) based on those observations. This is an example of inductive reasoning. Deductive reasoning would involve starting with a general premise (e.g. all students with test anxiety exhibit certain behaviors) and applying it to a specific case (this student exhibits those behaviors, therefore she must have test anxiety). Theoretical reasoning involves drawing broader conclusions based on a theory or framework, which isn't necessarily the case here. Faulty reasoning refers to flawed logic or reasoning, which isn't specifically demonstrated in this scenario.

During a Class Examination,the Course Instructor Notes That a Student