Professor Ponderous has a theory of personality that requires eight different personality factors to explain why shoppers prefer bright colors over more muted colors when purchasing clothes while Professor Eleganté has a theory that is just as accurate but only requires three personality factors. Based on the criterion of ______, the theory of _______would be evaluated more favorably.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Parsimony is the principle of using the simplest explanation that adequately accounts for the data. Professor Eleganté's theory requires fewer personality factors to explain the same phenomenon, so it is more parsimonious and would be evaluated more favorably on this criterion.

Professor Ponderous Has a Theory of Personality That Requires Eight