6.7: Reasoning used in Articles/Sources

Reasoning is the process of using existing knowledge to draw conclusions, make predictions, or construct explanations. Three methods of reasoning are the deductive, inductive, and abductive approaches.

Deductive reasoning: conclusion guaranteed if the supporting evidence is true

Deductive reasoning starts with the assertion of a fact, evidence, or condition and proceeds from there to a guaranteed conclusion. In deductive reasoning, if the original assertions are true, then the conclusion must also be true. Read the following excerpt by Kalia Sims in her article, “Microaggressions in the Workplace: How to Identify and Respond to them.”

What are Racial Microaggressions?

Racial microaggressions are the brief and everyday slights, insults, indignities and denigrating messages directed at Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) from well-intentioned people who are unaware of the hidden messages being communicated. (Here we see the assertion of the conclusion)

Microaggressions are often – but not always – verbal and can masquerade as compliments. But sometimes, they are the type of interactions that stay with you for years.

The term “racial microaggressions” was first coined by psychiatrist Dr. Chester Pierce in the 1970s.

The concept is rooted in the work of researchers Dr. Jack Dovidio, from Yale University and Dr. Samuel Gaertner, from the University of Delaware, in their formulation of aversive racism, well-intentioned people consciously believe in and profess equality, but unconsciously act in a racist manner, particularly in ambiguous situations. (This statement backs up the conclusion with evidence, and it is because of this general rule that we see the specific conclusion.)

Inductive reasoning: conclusion merely likely

Inductive reasoning begins with observations that are specific and limited in scope, and proceeds to a generalized conclusion that is likely, but not certain, in light of accumulated evidence. Much scientific research is carried out by the inductive method: gathering evidence, seeking patterns, and forming a hypothesis or theory to explain what is seen. In the same article, Sims illustrates the verbal expressions that are microaggressions. Here we see specific verbal observations that more than likely lead to the microaggression described. Take a look:

Verbal Microaggressions

• “You’re so articulate” – This usually means “I didn’t think you would be this”
• “You’re being aggressive” – This usually means the speaker is uncomfortable you’re assertiveness from a Black woman
• “You’re one of the good ones” – This is overt racism cushioned with words of affection or admiration, which is confusing, disorienting, and leaves you wondering if it’s even a compliment.
• Anything that includes the phrase “your people” – This assumes all BIPOC people are the same, but BIPOC people are diverse; our experiences can almost never be minimized to a single assumption.
• “Can I touch your hair?” Or touching it without consent – This is like petting an animal; being pet like a dog at work is deeply uncomfortable for anyone, especially so for Black women who experience it so often
• “Do you know your father?” – Believe it or not, Black people are asked this all the time, betraying deeply entrenched racist cultural stereotypes
• “Okay, but where are you really from?” – This statement betrays racist assumptions that people of color are perpetual foreigners; If I tell you I’m from Brooklyn, New York, it’s okay to take my word for it. (greatplacetowork.com)

Abductive reasoning: taking your best shot

Abductive reasoning typically begins with an incomplete set of observations and proceeds to the likeliest possible explanation for the set. Abductive reasoning yields the kind of daily decision-making that does its best with the information at hand, which often is incomplete. Sims also offers a description of actions done by individuals that do not have complete information and behave in ways based on the information at hand. The information of their actions here displays abductive reasoning:

Behavioral Microaggressions

Mistaking a person of color at work for a cleaning staff member, delivery person, etc.

• Using AAVE (African American Vernacular English) when speaking to a Black person
• Giving personality feedback like “smile more” to a Black woman in a performance review
• Assuming the competence of people whose first language is not English
• Mispronouncing an employees’ non-Anglo name after being corrected multiple times
• Giving someone a nickname without their permission because you are uncomfortable saying their full name. (greatplacetowork.com)