Deductive validity refers to a property of some logical arguments such that it is impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion(s) to be false. It also means logical soundness.
In the psychology context, deductive validity refers to the logical correctness of an argument in which the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. It is a type of reasoning used in research studies, experimental designs, and hypothesis testing.
A deductively valid argument is one in which the conclusion is true if the premises are true. It is the opposite of inductive reasoning, in which the conclusion is supported by evidence but may not necessarily be true.
Here are a few examples to help illustrate deductive validity:
Example 1:
- Premise 1: All men are mortal.
- Premise 2: Socrates is a man.
- Conclusion: Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
This is a valid deductive argument because the conclusion follows logically from the premises.
Example 2:
- Premise 1: All dogs have fur.
- Premise 2: This animal has fur.
- Conclusion: Therefore, this animal is a dog.
This argument is not valid because the conclusion does not necessarily follow from the premises.
Example 3:
- Premise 1: If it rains, the ground will be wet.
- Premise 2: It is raining.
- Conclusion: Therefore, the ground is wet.
This argument is valid because the conclusion follows logically from the premises.