What is the type of reasoning in which a general conclusion is formed before having a complete explanation based upon facts?

The correct answer is deductive thinking. This type of reasoning involves starting with a general principle or hypothesis and then drawing specific conclusions from that general statement. In deductive reasoning, if the general premise is true, the conclusion must also be true, assuming the logical structure is sound.

For instance, if one begins with a broad statement like "All humans are mortal" and identifies a specific case, such as "Socrates is a human," one can deduce that "Socrates is mortal." This process exemplifies deductive reasoning, as the conclusion is logically derived from the established general principle.

In contrast, inductive thinking works from specific observations to broader generalizations. Cause-and-effect thinking is focused on understanding the relationship between events or actions, while intuitive thinking relies on instinct or gut feelings rather than structured logical processes. Thus, deductive thinking is the method that aligns best with forming a general conclusion based before achieving a complete explanation based on facts.