Dr. Child has developed a straightforward theory on emotional eating (the tendency for people to eat for emotional reasons rather than hunger). Dr. Gordion has also developed a theory, though her theory is far more complicated. Both theories generate a number of new hypotheses. Both theories predict the phenomenon equally well. In the scientific community, Dr. ______________ theory will probably be preferred because _____________.
A)Gordion's; it will be easiest to prove or disprove
B)Child's; it will be easiest to prove or disprove
C)Gordion's; complexity suggests that she has thought the problem through more carefully
D)Gordion's; complexity is more likely to capture the complexity of eating behavior
E)Child's; it conforms to the law of parsimony

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Child's theory is likely to be preferred because it conforms to the law of parsimony, which suggests that the simplest explanation that can explain the phenomena is usually preferred.

Dr Child Has Developed a Straightforward Theory on Emotional Eating