STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING REASONING ABILITY AMONG

STUDENTS

Dr. Madhuri Hooda Anita Devi, Ph.d student

Assistant Professor Dept. of Education, M.D.U Rohtak
Dept. of Education, M.D.U Rohtak (Haryana)

Abstract
The world is becoming more and more competitive because there is too much information
and too many challenges that are faced by modern man. Reasoning ability is a prerequisite
to improve our quality of life, success and give strength to face problem. Reasoning ability
helps students to think logically, act purposefully and effectively to deal with the
environment. Today reasoning ability essential for teaching and learning and needed for new
challenges of life. Education plays a crucial role in developing that ability. This paper
discusses about different kind of strategies for developing reasoning ability and factors that
affects reasoning ability of students.
Keyword: Reasoning ability

Introduction
Reasoning is the capacity for a person to make sense of things to establish & verify facts, to
rationaly work through data, information, facts, and beliefs. Reasoning is the cognative
process of looking for reason for beliefs, conclusions, actions or feelings (Kirwin, 1995).
There are two different kind of reasoning- Inductive and deductive reasoning. Reasoning is
an important variable that affect performance. Reasoning helps students to think logically.
Reasoning, in domains of nontrivial complexity depends importantly on knowledge.
Expertise is rooted in knowledge, and expert’s reason differently about problems than do
novices (Feltovich, Prietula, & Ericsson, 2006). Because of this, some have erroneously
assumed that good reasoning is nothing more than good knowledge.

Reasoning is needed for new challenges of life, different strategies to solve a problem, to
find the missing information and when more than one solution is require for a problem. More
exercise will improve reasoning ability. Exercise has an effect on memory and thinking.
Exercise reduce the stress, anxiety and improve concentration and learning among students.
Students take interest in problem solving which would develop self confidence and reasoning
ability. According to Bhadari, Reasoning is mental process that is different from other mental
processes such as imagination and remembering.

Reasoning abilities are not static. They are developed through experience and rendered easier
to perform through exercise. Recall that individual differences in reasoning are substantially
correlated with the amount of information individuals can hold in working memory while
performing some transformation on it. The ability to do this depends in large measure on the
attentional resources individuals bring to a task, their familiarity with the to-be-remembered
information, and their skill in performing the required transformations. Thus, prior
knowledge and skills are critical determiners of the level of reasoning that one can exhibit
both on reasoning tests and in everyday tasks (Lohman, and Lakin, 2009).

Reasoning abilities are the core competencies of students that enable him to cope with the
difficulties in life. Abilities that enable students to solve problems, manage complexity and to
survive under a variety of conditions. Individuals differ from one another in intelligence,
capabilities, learning, and study habits. This ability enables one to find out the cause and
effect relationship. High reasoning ability indicates high intelligence. There are several
alternative theories of the cognitive processes that human reasoning is based on. Learning
what to notice and what to ignore is the essential first step in reasoning about any problem.
The successful learning requires reasoning strategies. Indeed, the best way to develop
reasoning abilities is through challenging instruction that requires students to exercise old
reasoning strategies and to invent or learn new ones (Martinez, 2000; Nickerson, 2004)

Academic success require reasoning ability to understand different rules and

principles, mathematical concepts, variety of information, facts and beliefs i.e successful
learning require reasoning abilities. The four basic reasoning skills that are important to
everyday living: spatial reasoning, logical reasoning, numerical reasoning and verbal
reasoning.
SPATIAL REASONING: Spatial reasoning visualizes easily, remember shapes and
mentally manipulate the objects. Spatial reasoning used in technical and design jobs like as
engineering, architecture and the military.
Example:

Now decide which of the following shapes matches the above

LOGICAL REASONING: Thinking about something in a logical way and to draw rational,
systematic and logical conclusion on the bases of statements, facts or arguments and find out
the strength and weakness of these facts.
Example: What is the missing letter in this series?
EG: IK::MO: ?
a) PQ b) QS c) QR d) PR
NUMERICAL REASONING: Numerical reasoning is also known as arithmetical
aptitude/reasoning or quantitative reasoning. The Ability helps to understand numbers and
mathematical concepts and facts.
Example: What is missing number?
2 4 12 ? 240
a) 48 b) 36 c) 60 d) 40
VERBAL REASONING: The ability helps to understand and analyze written and spoken,
information, concepts, and facts, is an important ability for most jobs, entrance test, even
abstract ones like mathematics and physics. Words and digits use for verbal reasoning.
Example:
Time: Second:: Force: ?
a) Watt b) Litter c) pascal D) Newton
Reasoning ability is problem solving ability which solves different kind of problems related
to learning and tasks. To solve a problem it is necessary to evaluate situation, different
strategies of problem solving, logical conclusions, describe solution of a problem, reflect on
solution. A good way to improve reasoning ability is to make a point of stopping to consider
those consequences on a conscious level. Reasoning ability develops with proper teaching
and training.

Strategies for developing reasoning ability

 Encourage students in discussions about a variety of topics, issues, and current events.
 Encourage students to share ideas and thoughts: Student can give suggestion and
share answer of question.
 Encourage students to think independently and develop their own ideas.
 Help students in setting their own goals.
 Stimulate students to think about possibilities for the future.
 Assist students in re-evaluating poorly made decisions for themselves
 Pay more attention to the purpose
 Play interested games that require attention and ideas: Attention is important for
thinking. Games like chess, crossword puzzle, online card games that require
reasoning ability and enable them to decision making.
 Keep trying new that improves critical thinking: Trying new hobbies and tasks on
regular basis. Encourage students to try new thing and train brain for that.
 Encourage students in reading journal and books: Reading books and journal expand
and explore thoughts and improve sophisticated thinking as well as more creativity.
This can lead to higher reasoning skills. The high reasoning ability can help wok,
school learning and interpersonal relationships.
 Encourage students in co-curricular activities
 Encourage self- confidence: Teacher can motivate students to respect toward their
belief, opinion and imaginative thoughts. Encourage self confidence by education.
 Encourage flexibility and activeness among students
  Create an encouraging environment for development of reasoning ability. Provide
opportunity to think freely.
This ability help in adjustments in new situation of life which will further help in success of
all area of life.

Factors affecting reasoning ability

 Anxiety and stress: If student feel stress and anxiety in any problem, task and
concepts the reasoning ability of students become low.
 Learning environment: Organized and proper learning environment increase
reasoning ability among students.
 Task complexity: If the nature of task too complex then reasoning ability is very low.
 Pattern recognition: It is a cognitive process to observe into different cluster. If
clustering is not valid and reliable, students can’t perform effective reasoning.
 Motivation: A proper reasoning is not possible without strong motivation. A strong
motivation show organized and strong reasoning.
 Individuality: Individuality is related to personality, ability, experience and
confidence. If a student doesn’t have this ability he can’t reason properly.
 Intelligence: Intelligence is essential for every human being. Intelligent students can
solve problem easily with the help of insight and foresight.
 Lake of knowledge about concepts
 Interest: Students can solve those problems which are interesting in absence of that
factor students can’t give attention to the problem.
 Activeness: Activeness saves from stereotype or supersites and help students to use of
new techniques.
Reasoning ability is beneficial for developing Insight in thinking and task which help them to
solve a problem. These abilities motivate the students to think rationally and improve the
performance and achievement.

References
 Bhandari, A. Impact of reasoning ability on mathematics achievement of senior
secondary students. Contemporary research in India (ISSN-2231-2237): vol, 6; issue
1.
 Feltovich, P. J., Prietula, M. J., & Ericsson, K. A. (2006). Studies of expertise from
psychological perspectives. In K. A. Ericsson, N. Charness, P. J. Feltovich, & R. R.
Hoffman (Eds.), The Cambridge handbook of expertise and expert performance (pp.
41-68). New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.

 Jennie, Liz and Bernard. (2014). Reasoning: The journey from novice to expert.
 Jeotee, K. (2015). Reasoning skills, problem solving ability and academic ability.
Implication for study programme and career choice in the context of higher education
in Thailand.
 Kirwin, c. (1995). Reasoning: In Ted Honderich(ed.), The oxford companion to
philosophy.Oxford: Oxford University Press: p:748.
  Lohman, D.F. and Lakin, J. M. (2009). Reasoning and Intelligence.2-21, 32-34.
 Martinez, M. E. (2000). Education as the cultivation of intelligence. Mahwah, NJ:
Erlbaum.
 Nickerson, R. S. (2004). Teaching reasoning. In J. P. Leighton & R. J. Sternberg
(Eds.). The nature of reasoning (pp. 410-442). New York, NY: Cambridge University
Press.
 Pellegrini, J. (2016). Developing thinking & reasoning skills in primary learners using
detective fiction.
 www.pimsleurapproach.com/resources/language-research/cognition/spatial-reasoning/
 www.wikihow.com>Home>Categerioes>Education and Communication>Learning
Techniques and students skills
 www.chinesenursing.org/openaccess/sn331/html/module.09.html

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

The Best Ways to Strengthen

Your Logical Thinking Skills
What is logical thinking?
Logical thinking is the act of analyzing a situation and coming up with a sensible
solution. Similar to critical thinking, logical thinking requires the use of reasoning
skills to study a problem objectively, which will allow you to make a rational
conclusion about how to proceed. When you use the facts available to you to address
a problem you may be facing at work, for example, you are using logical reasoning
skills. 

In this article, we will explore reasons why logical thinking can help you be a stronger
professional with tips on how you can improve your logical thinking skills.

Why are logical thinking skills important?

Logical thinking skills are important because they can help you reason through
important decisions, solve problems, generate creative ideas and set goals—all of
which are necessary for developing your career. Whether you have just entered the
workforce or want to advance your career, you will come across challenges on a daily
basis that require logical reasoning skills. The stronger your logical thinking skills are,
the more easily you will be able to come up with solutions and plans that benefit you
and your workplace.

How to build logical thinking skills

There are many ways to strengthen logical thinking in your daily work. Here are a few
methods you might consider to develop your logical thinking skills:

1. Spend time on creative hobbies

2. Practice questioning
 3. Socialize with others
4. Learn a new skill
5. Try to anticipate the outcome of your decisions

1. Spend time on creative hobbies. Creative outlets like drawing, painting, writing

and playing music can stimulate the brain and help promote logical thinking. Creative
thinking naturally develops problem-solving abilities that can help you become a
better performer at work.

Learning a new instrument, for example, requires deep thought and concentration.
The logical thinking skills you’ll gain from this process can help you approach your
work more intently, developing your ability to solve more problems with flexibility and
ease.

In addition, creative hobbies help reduce stress. When your stress levels are
manageable, you will likely have an easier time focusing and making logical decisions.
You can handle stress in many different ways, but developing your creative mind is
especially productive and can bolster both your personal and professional life.

2. Practice questioning. One of the best ways to strengthen your logical thinking

skills is to ask questions about things you typically accept as fact. Regularly asking
questions helps you view situations more completely, allowing you to approach
problems at work more logically and creatively.

Asking questions can also often lead to discoveries about topics you had not
considered before, which may encourage you to explore further. You can use this
method anywhere, especially at work. Consider a department at your workplace you
are not familiar with and create a list of questions that will help you understand its
purpose. For example, if you work in sales and want to know more about search
engine optimization, consider asking someone in that department for a short
informational interview to learn more about their current projects and processes. This
can help you think more critically about your role at work as it relates to that team.

3. Socialize with others. Building relationships with others can broaden your

perspective, giving you more opportunities to develop your logical thinking skills.
When you get to know someone better and learn his point of view, it may help you
approach problems at work in a new and different way.

There are many ways you can invest time in building relationships, from participating
in an activity you both enjoy to simply eating lunch or meeting over coffee together on
a regular basis. The more logically you can handle problems at work, the more easily
you will be able to advance in your career.

4. Learn a new skill. Learning a new skill can also help you sharpen your logic skills.
When you take the opportunity to learn as often as possible, you can apply the same
level of thinking to your job.

For example, you might decide to start learning a new coding language, a process that
requires careful thinking and planning. Not only will practicing every day help to put
you in the mindset of thoughtfully approaching problems at work, but it will also
develop a new skill that will help you advance your career.

5. Try to anticipate the outcome of your decisions. When working to strengthen your

logical thinking skills, it is helpful to consider what impact your decisions might have
in the future. The closer you pay attention to the results of your decisions, the easier
the process will become.

When you come up with a solution to a problem at work, try to think about what the
outcome may be. Eventually, you will find it easier to think of the immediate and long-
term results of your decisions, which is an important aspect of logical thinking.
Logic skills can be easily strengthened with daily practice. When you apply these
exercises regularly, you will start to naturally approach everyday decisions at work
with a more logical perspective.