Ladder of Inference

Overview

Chris Argyris (Harvard, 1970s; popularized in Senge's The Fifth Discipline): between raw observable data and the action you take, you climb an invisible ladder —

1. Observable data (everything available)
2. Selected data (what you noticed)
3. Meanings added (interpretation)
4. Assumptions made
5. Conclusions drawn
6. Beliefs adopted
7. Action taken

Two blind spots: the climb is instant and unconscious, and the reflexive loop — your existing beliefs control which data you select at step 2, so every trip up the ladder reinforces the last one. You experience your conclusions as "just seeing what's there."

When to Use