After careful study of the relationship between the economy and arson, the conclusion was drawn that when the economy is poor and unemployment is high, the arson rates go up.The researcher concluded that unemployed people are more likely to commit arson than are those who are employed. What error was just committed?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The researcher committed the ecological fallacy by assuming that the relationship between unemployment and arson on a larger scale would necessarily hold true at an individual level. Just because an area experiences higher arson rates during times of economic turmoil does not mean that unemployed individuals are necessarily more likely to commit arson.

After Careful Study of the Relationship Between the Economy and Arson