Professor Root was studying the arrest rates for driving under the influence in urban and rural areas of Ohio. It was found that the arrest rate was higher in the rural areas. Professor Root concluded that people who live in rural areas are more likely to drive while intoxicated than are people who live in urban areas. Root's conclusion illustrates the:
A)ecological fallacy.
B)individualistic fallacy.
C)usefulness of good deductive reasoning.
D)importance of trend studies.
E)reductionist fallacy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Professor Root's conclusion illustrates the ecological fallacy, which occurs when conclusions are drawn about individuals based solely on group data. Just because the rural area has a higher arrest rate for driving under the influence, it does not mean that individuals in the rural area are more likely to drive while intoxicated. This conclusion is drawn by assuming that the group characteristic is representative of the individual characteristics.

Professor Root Was Studying the Arrest Rates for Driving Under