Question 67

A gardener observes some plants growing more rapidly in the sunlight than in the shade and concludes that all plants grow more efficiently in the sun.

Inductive reasoning is demonstrated by the gardener who infers a general conclusion based on specific observations of plant growth. The gardener's observation leads to a broader generalization about the growth conditions of all plants.

A) A conspiracy theorist reads news only from sources that support their political viewpoints, which further confirms their beliefs that their beliefs are correct.

This choice illustrates confirmation bias rather than inductive reasoning. The conspiracy theorist selectively gathers evidence to support pre-existing beliefs without forming a general conclusion based on broader observations.

B) A person decides to drive to their vacation destination rather than fly after reading about a plane crash.

This option reflects a decision made based on a specific incident, but does not involve inductive reasoning. The person is reacting to a single event rather than drawing a general conclusion from multiple observations.

C) A gardener observes some plants growing more rapidly in the sunlight than in the shade and concludes that all plants grow more efficiently in the sun.

This choice exemplifies inductive reasoning as the gardener makes a general conclusion based on specific observations of plant behavior. The gardener uses evidence from their experiences to formulate a broader principle about plant growth.

D) A dogwalker correctly identifies a dog's breed when they recognize the classic color and texture of the dog's fur.

While the dogwalker uses previous knowledge to identify the breed, this is more of a deductive reasoning scenario. The identification is based on known characteristics rather than a general conclusion drawn from specific instances.

Conclusion

The gardener's conclusion about plant growth efficiency in sunlight is a clear example of inductive reasoning, as it is based on specific observations leading to a generalization. In contrast, the other options either reflect biases, singular decisions, or deductive reasoning, which do not align with the principles of inductive reasoning. Thus, option C stands out as the correct answer.