The College of Education for Human Sciences at Ibn Rushd, University of Baghdad, held a master’s thesis defense on Monday, May 26, 2025, titled “The Development of Transitive Inference in Children.” The research was conducted by Ali Abbas Khudair from the Department of Educational and Psychological Sciences, specializing in developmental psychology. The discussion committee consisted of Dr. Ghada Ali Hadi as Chair, Dr. Intisar Hashim Mahdi as Supervisor and Member, Dr. Huda Kamil Mansour as Member, and Dr. Qasim Muhammad Nida as External Member from the College of Education for Women at Al-Iraqia University.
Research Objectives
The study aimed to explore the development of transitive inference—a fundamental cognitive ability essential for logical reasoning and cognitive development in children. The research sought to examine how this ability manifests among Iraqi children at various developmental stages.
Key Findings
-
Age-Related Development: Children aged 6 exhibited limited transitive inference abilities. In contrast, those aged 7, 8, and 9 demonstrated proficient transitive reasoning skills.
-
Statistical Significance by Age: There were statistically significant differences in transitive inference abilities across different age groups, favoring older children, indicating a developmental trajectory in this cognitive skill.
-
No Gender Differences: The study found no statistically significant differences in transitive inference abilities between male and female children.
Conclusion
The research underscores the importance of transitive inference as a critical component of cognitive development. The findings suggest that this ability develops progressively with age, highlighting the need for educational strategies that support and enhance logical reasoning skills in children.