Question 1

At times, we make hasty and erroneous generalizations by relying on far too little information or by exaggerating the importance of one or two particular experiences.

Accepted Answer

It is true that we can make hasty and erroneous generalizations by relying on too little information or exaggerating the significance of a few experiences. This is a common cognitive bias known as the "Availability Heuristic," where we often overestimate the frequency or likelihood of events based on how easily we can recall examples from memory.

Question 2

Playing with Numbers fallacies are arguments, which use raw numbers when percentages would present a more _____________ description, or use percentages when the raw numbers would present the more ___________ [same word] description.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Playing with Numbers fallacies are arguments, which...

Question 3

Describe how computer scoring is used to achieve the purpose of scoring written submissions. What are the risks and benefits of substituting machine scoring for human grading?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how computer scoring is used to...

Question 4

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?
A) Can I think of at least three possible counterexamples?
B) Is the generalization consistent with common sense?
C) Were enough cases considered?
D) What are the implications of the generalization, if it is true?

Accepted Answer

When evaluating a probabilistic generalization, it's important to consider whether enough cases were considered to ensure the generalization is statistically significant and reliable.

Question 5

The progression from coincidence to correlation to causal explanations marks our progress in being able to explain and to predict events.

Accepted Answer

Coincidence is simply two events happening at the same time, whereas correlation is a statistical relationship between two variables. Causal explanation is the identification of a cause-and-effect relationship between two variables. As we move from simply observing coincidences to identifying correlations and eventually causal relationships, we are able to better understand and predict events.

Question 6

What assumptions humans often seem to make is the basis for the Slippery Slope Fallacy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What assumptions humans often seem to make...

Question 7

Like valid arguments, warranted arguments pass the test of ______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Like valid arguments, warranted arguments pass the...

Question 8

What assumption humans often seem to make is the basis for the False Cause Fallacy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What assumption humans often seem to make...

Question 9

The progression from coincidence to correlation to causal explanations marks our progress in our ________.
A) ability to explain and to predict events
B) environmental sustainability and economic growth
C) community and individual wellbeing
D) spiritual and emotional development

Accepted Answer

The ability to move from coincidence to correlation and ultimately to causal explanations is fundamental to our ability to understand and predict events. It is the foundation of scientific inquiry and allows us to make informed decisions and solve problems in a variety of fields.

Question 10

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?
A) Was the correct group sampled?
B) Is the generalization consistent with common sense?
C) Was research project approved by a Human Subjects Review board?
D) What are the implications of the generalization, if it is true?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization, it is crucial to ensure that the correct group was sampled to make the generalization valid and applicable.

Question 11

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?
A) What are the implications for me if this generalization is true?
B) What if someone discovers additional information in the future that refutes this generalization?
C) Was research project approved by a Human Subjects Review board?
D) Was the sample representatively structured?

Accepted Answer

Probabilistic generalizations depend on the representativeness of the sample from which they are drawn. If the sample is not representative of the population, the generalization may not be valid.

Question 12

What is the Nurses' Health Study and how can we tell that it is correlational rather than causal research?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the Nurses' Health Study and...

Question 13

Called a "power analysis," the calculations social scientists make begin with a projection of the number of cases expected to fall randomly into each possible category. As a rough rule of thumb, social scientists would want at least __________ cases per possible response category.
A) 5
B) 10
C) 25
D) 50
E) 100

Accepted Answer

The answer of Called a "power analysis," the calculations social...

Question 14

What assumptions humans often seem to make is the basis for the False Dilemma Fallacy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What assumptions humans often seem to make...

Question 15

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?
A) What are the political repercussions if this information were made public?
B) Were the data obtained in an effective way?
C) Was research project approved by a Human Subjects Review board?
D) What are the implications for me if this generalization is true?

Accepted Answer

The question is asking about the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization, which means we need to assess whether the generalization is based on sound reasoning and evidence. Question B directly addresses this by asking whether the data was obtained in an effective way. The other questions are not relevant to evaluating logical strength.

Question 16

The expression "Post hoc, propter hoc" ("After this, because of this") is another name for the _____________ Fallacy

Accepted Answer

The answer of The expression "Post hoc, propter hoc" ("After...

Question 17

If an argument's premises strongly support or justify taking the conclusion to be very probably true, then the argument is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If an argument's premises strongly support or...

Question 18

What assumption humans often seem to make is the basis for the Gambler's Fallacy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What assumption humans often seem to make...

Question 19

Because legal standards, like "beyond a reasonable doubt," call for an unbiased, informed, and fair-minded reasoned judgment, rather than a precise mathematical calculation, critical thinking skills and all the positive habits of mind are essential for applying the legal standards well.

Accepted Answer

The statement correctly emphasizes the importance of critical thinking skills and habits of mind in applying legal standards accurately. The standards involve subjective and contextual judgments, and the legal system expects judges and juries to apply them fairly and impartially. Therefore, the ability to analyze evidence, evaluate arguments, weigh competing interests, and detect biases and fallacies is crucial for making sound legal decisions. Mathematical precision does not necessarily guarantee logical or ethical correctness in the legal context.

Question 20

A coincidence and a correlation are really the same thing.

Accepted Answer

A coincidence is simply two events occurring at the same time or in close proximity, while a correlation implies a relationship or connection between two variables. Just because two things happen at the same time does not mean they are related or have a causal connection.

Quiz 9: Warranted Inferences

At times, we make hasty and erroneous generalizations by relying on far too little information or by exaggerating the importance of one or two particular experiences.

Playing with Numbers fallacies are arguments, which use raw numbers when percentages would present a more ___ description, or use percentages when the raw numbers would present the more _ [same word] description.

Describe how computer scoring is used to achieve the purpose of scoring written submissions. What are the risks and benefits of substituting machine scoring for human grading?

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?

The progression from coincidence to correlation to causal explanations marks our progress in being able to explain and to predict events.

What assumptions humans often seem to make is the basis for the Slippery Slope Fallacy?

Like valid arguments, warranted arguments pass the test of ______________.

What assumption humans often seem to make is the basis for the False Cause Fallacy?

The progression from coincidence to correlation to causal explanations marks our progress in our ________.

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?

What is the Nurses' Health Study and how can we tell that it is correlational rather than causal research?

Called a "power analysis," the calculations social scientists make begin with a projection of the number of cases expected to fall randomly into each possible category. As a rough rule of thumb, social scientists would want at least __________ cases per possible response category.

What assumptions humans often seem to make is the basis for the False Dilemma Fallacy?

To evaluate a probabilistic generalization we need to do more than to find one or two counterexamples. Which of the following questions should be asked when evaluating the logical strength of a probabilistic generalization?

The expression "Post hoc, propter hoc" ("After this, because of this") is another name for the _____________ Fallacy

If an argument's premises strongly support or justify taking the conclusion to be very probably true, then the argument is called ________.

What assumption humans often seem to make is the basis for the Gambler's Fallacy?

Because legal standards, like "beyond a reasonable doubt," call for an unbiased, informed, and fair-minded reasoned judgment, rather than a precise mathematical calculation, critical thinking skills and all the positive habits of mind are essential for applying the legal standards well.

A coincidence and a correlation are really the same thing.