Deck 9: Inductive Reasoning

Question 1

Causal arguments are a kind of _______ argument.

A) inductive
B) analogical
C) hypothetical
D) deductive

Answer 1

inductive

Question 2

The fallacy of reasoning that just because B followed A, A must have caused B is known as

A) hasty generalization.
B) faulty analogy.
C) faulty assumption.
D) post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

Answer 2

post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

Question 3

We're guilty of hasty generalization whenever we draw a conclusion about a target group based on

A) an irrelevant property.
B) an inadequate sample size.
C) enumerative induction.
D) an opinion poll.

Answer 3

an inadequate sample size.

Question 4

According to Mill's method of correlation, when two events are correlated, they are

A) probably not causally related.
B) uncaused.
C) probably causally related.
D) identical.

Question 5

A sample that is compiled by allowing survey subjects to choose themselves is known as a(n) _______ sample.

A) marginal
B) self-selecting
C) random
D) unregulated

Question 6

Analogical arguments can establish conclusions only with a degree of probability.

Question 7

According to a modified version of Mill's Method of Agreement, if two or more occurrences of a phenomenon have only one relevant factor in common, that factor must be the cause.

Question 8

The strength of causal arguments is judged on the basis of relevant similarities, relevant dissimilarities, the number of instances compared, and diversity among cases.

Question 9

A strong analogical argument with true premises is said to be sound.

Question 10

An enumerative induction has this pattern: Thing A has properties P₁, P₂, P₃ plus the property P4. Thing B has properties P₁, P₂, and P₃. Therefore, thing B probably has property P_4.

Question 11

People often think "it can't be just coincidence" because they correctly judge the probabilities involved.

Question 12

In cases in which a complete set of necessary conditions constitutes a sufficient condition for an event, we say that the conditions are individually necessary and jointly sufficient for an event to occur.

Question 13

A strong enumerative induction cannot have false premises.

Question 14

People are often guilty of biased sampling through a phenomenon called selective attention.

Question 15

People are not very good at selecting things in random fashion.

Question 16

In enumerative induction we begin with observations about some members of the group and end with a generalization about all of them.

Question 17

In national polling, a reliable poll must have a zero margin of error.

Question 18

In national polling, samples need to be enormous to be accurate reflections of the larger target population.

Question 19

Self-selecting samples yield accurate results when the samples are large.

Question 20

Many opinion polls are untrustworthy because of the flaws in the way the questions are asked.

Question 21

A strong enumerative induction must be based on a sample that is both large enough and representative.

Question 22

Not all inductive arguments are causal.

Question 23

When we attempt to show that a particular action is right or wrong, we often rely on argument by analogy.

Question 24

The way in which questions are ordered in opinion polls can have an effect on poll results.

Question 25

Opinion polls are reliable as long as they include restricted choices.

Question 26

What is enumerative induction and what is its argument pattern?

Question 27

Give examples of enumerative induction and statistical syllogism.

Question 28

What are the two major ways an enumerative inductive argument can fail to be strong?

Question 29

What is the error known as hasty generalization? Provide an example in your answer.

Question 30

What is the difference between a literary analogy and an argument by analogy? What is the purpose of each?

Question 31

What are the definitions of mean, median, and mode?

Question 32

What are the criteria for judging the strength of arguments by analogy and how are they applied?

Question 33

What is a causal argument and what are Mill's criteria for judging its strength?

Question 34

Why are opinion polls considered a form of enumerative induction?