The Ladder of Inference

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) Supporting Others video series is designed to empower volunteer and paid staff to provide on the job developmental support to others. The videos can be used in both informal development contexts and formal mentoring, facilitation and educator training programs.

The Ladder of Inference, initially developed by Chris Argyris, describes a common mental process to which we are all susceptible when we are trying to make sense of situations in order to act. When we climb up the ladder too quickly, we can end up with misguided beliefs and acting on the basis of incorrect conclusions. Using the Ladder model helps you to become more aware of your own inferences and the lenses through which you interpret the world. That awareness can enable you to be less judgemental, which allows you to make better sense of others’ views of the world.