What is the Ladder of Inference?

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The ladder of inference is a metaphorical model of cognition and action designed by an American business theorist, Chris Argyris, in the 1970s. He created it to help people understand the decision-making process and avoid drawing erroneous conclusions. It was later popularized by Peter Senge in his book "The Fifth Discipline".

We'll get into the details soon, but first let's disambiguate the term from a similar one.

Inference scale vs. unconscious bias
Both the inference scale and unconscious bias are cognitive models in belize mobile numbers list the field of decision making. Both are implicit, meaning that the decision-maker does not use them consciously. However, they are completely different ideas, which serve different functions.

The inference scale is a tool that describes the typical decision-making process. Unconscious bias, on the other hand, is associations and connections that we make without being aware of them, and which also influence decisions.

Ladder of inference Unconscious bias
A multi-step process. A combination of factors
Influenced by behavioral traits Influenced by social, cultural and behavioral traits
Supports effective decisions It makes effective decisions difficult
Help to follow Helps to avoid
Simply put, we need to eliminate unconscious bias at every step of the ladder to make better decisions.