Interactive Ladder of Inference
Climb through each step to understand how your mind processes information. Click on any step to learn more.
Step: Start / 7
🚀
Step 7
Take Actions
💡
Step 6
Adopt Beliefs
⚖️
Step 5
Draw Conclusions
🤔
Step 4
Make Assumptions
💭
Step 3
Add Meanings
🔍
Step 2
Select Data
👁️
Step 1
Observable Data & Experiences
🧗
Click Climb to start your journey up the ladder, or click any step to explore it.
About the Ladder
The Ladder of Inference was developed by organizational psychologist Chris Argyris. It describes the thinking process we go through, usually unconsciously, to get from a fact to a decision or action.
Understanding this ladder helps us:
- •Recognize our assumptions before acting
- •Challenge our conclusions with evidence
- •Understand others' perspectives better
- •Make more informed decisions
💡Pro Tips
Slow down: When you notice strong reactions, pause and trace your thinking back down the ladder.
Ask questions: Challenge your assumptions by asking “What other explanations could there be?”
Share your reasoning: Help others understand your thought process by explaining how you arrived at your conclusions.