llows the ordinary process of learning, or of
selecting certain elements of old knowledge, and organizing them into a
new particular experience in order to meet a certain problem.

=Deduction as Formal Reasoning.=--It is usually stated by psychologists
and logicians that in this process the person starts with the general
truth and ends with the particular inference, or conclusion, for
example:

Winds coming from the ocean are saturated with moisture.

The prevailing winds in British Columbia come from the Pacific.

Therefore these winds are saturated with moisture.

All winds become colder as they rise.

The winds of British Columbia rise as they go inland.

Therefore, the winds (atmosphere) in British Columbia become colder
as they go inland.

The atmosphere gives out moisture as it becomes colder.

The atmosphere in British Columbia becomes colder as it goes
inland.

Therefore, the atmosphere gives out moisture in British Columbia.

=Steps in Process.=--The various elements involved in a deductive
process are often analysed into four parts in the following order:

1. _Principles._ The general laws which are to be applied in the
solution of the problem. These, in the above deductions, constitute the
first sentence in each, as,

The air becomes colder as it rises.

Air gives out its moisture as it becomes colder, etc.

2. _Data._ This includes the particular facts already known relative to
the problem. In this lesson, the data are set forth in the second
sentences, as follows:

The prevailing winds in British Columbia come from the Pacific; the
wind rises as it goes inland, etc.

3. _Inferences._ These are the conclusions arrived at as a result of
noting relations between data and principles. In the above lesson, the
inferences are:

The atmosphere, or trade-winds, coming from the Pacific rise,
become colder, and give out much moisture.

4. _Verification._ In some cases at least the learner may use other
means to verify his conclusions. In the above lesson, for example, he
may look it up in the geography or ask some one who has had actual
experience.

=Deduction Involves a Problem.=--It is to be noted, however, that in a
deductive learning process, the young child does not really begin with
the general principle. On the contrary, as noted in the study of the
learning process, the child always begins with a parti