The development of inductive reasoning during infancy

Abstract

Category-based inductive reasoning involves assuming that members of the same category share common properties. This form of reasoning allows individuals to draw upon previous knowledge, enhancing cognitive efficiency. This review paper focuses on the advances made in research on category-based inductive reasoning over the past 25 years, with specific focus on infants between the ages of 12 and 36 months. Three key lines of research are reviewed: studies demonstrating the role of shape similarity in guiding inferences, studies examining the conditions under which infants rely on shared labels to guide their inferencing, and studies examining how generic language statements guide toddlers’ inductive inferences. Finally, directions for future research are discussed, with particular focus on the need to examine the developmental origins of inductive reasoning in infants younger than 12 months.