What describes a method of reasoning that forms a conclusion from general information, the opposite of inductive reasoning?

What describes a method of reasoning that forms a conclusion from general information, the opposite of inductive reasoning?

• A. Deductive
• B. Deferred compensation plan
• C. Defined benefit plan
• D. Culture

Answer: (A)

Deductive reasoning starts with general information or rules and uses them to draw a specific conclusion about a particular case. In HR terms, you apply a general policy to a specific employee situation. For example, if the policy states that nonexempt employees are entitled to overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a week, and you know an employee worked 45 hours, you can deduce they are owed overtime pay. The conclusion follows necessarily if the premises (the policy and the facts) are true. This is the opposite of inductive reasoning, which goes from specific observations to a broader generalization. For instance, seeing several employees receive overtime in the past and then generalizing that overtime is always paid would be inductive. The other options refer to compensation plans or culture, not a method of reasoning. Deferred compensation and defined benefit plans are types of employee benefits, while culture describes shared organizational values, not a way of reasoning.

Deductive reasoning starts with general information or rules and uses them to draw a specific conclusion about a particular case. In HR terms, you apply a general policy to a specific employee situation. For example, if the policy states that nonexempt employees are entitled to overtime pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a week, and you know an employee worked 45 hours, you can deduce they are owed overtime pay. The conclusion follows necessarily if the premises (the policy and the facts) are true.

This is the opposite of inductive reasoning, which goes from specific observations to a broader generalization. For instance, seeing several employees receive overtime in the past and then generalizing that overtime is always paid would be inductive.

The other options refer to compensation plans or culture, not a method of reasoning. Deferred compensation and defined benefit plans are types of employee benefits, while culture describes shared organizational values, not a way of reasoning.