Final answer:
The statement 'The baby is tired' is an example of an inference, as it interprets observable behaviors to conclude the baby's state without direct evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
An inference is a conclusion or deduction made based on observations and prior knowledge. In the context of the provided question, the statement 'The baby is tired' (c) is an inference. The other options are observations: noticing the color of the baby's eyes (a), the number of teeth (b), or the act of crying (d). However, saying the baby is tired suggests a conclusion drawn from the baby's behavior, like crying or displaying signs of fatigue, without a direct observation confirming that the baby is indeed tired.
To infer that a baby is tired, one could observe a baby crying (as mentioned in Figure 23.5.2), which is a way infants communicate their needs, but without further context, we don't know the exact cause. We are using evidence (crying) to infer a probable cause (tiredness), which is different from just stating an observed fact (such as 'the baby is crying').