Deck 10: Causality and Mills Methods

Question 1

Table 3C
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 3C?

A) C is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) A is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) A is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Answer 1

A is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 2

Table 5C
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 5C?

A) A is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) B is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Answer 2

F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Question 3

The controlled experiment in science is most closely related to which of Mill's methods?

A) The method of residues.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of concomitant variation.
D) The method of agreement.
E) The method of difference.

Answer 3

The method of difference.

Question 4

Suppose that a sociologist notices a correlation between the rate of personal bankruptcy filings and the suicide rate. As the bankruptcy rate increases, the suicide rare increases, and vice versa. The sociologist concludes that personal bankruptcy is a cause of suicide. What method did the sociologist use in drawing this conclusion?

A) The method of concomitant variation.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of residues.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 5

When we say that an electric current flowing through the filament of a light bulb causes the bulb to produce light, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

A) Relative and an absolute condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.

Question 6

Table 1B
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 1B?

A) The method of agreement.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of concomitant variation.
E) The method of residues.

Question 7

When we say that water droplets in the atmosphere cause a rainbow to appear, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

A) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Relative and an absolute condition.

Question 8

Table 3C
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 3C?

A) The method of difference.
B) The method of concomitant variation.
C) The method of agreement.
D) The method of residues.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 9

The correlational method used in the social sciences is closely related to which of Mill's methods?

A) The method of agreement.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of concomitant variation.
D) The joint method of agreement and difference.
E) The method of difference.

Question 10

Suppose that a homeowner notices a 20 percent increase in the water bill for July. The homeowner traces this increase to four sources: a running toilet, a dripping faucet, a guest who visited for two days, and a broken sprinkler head. Further study shows that the broken toilet accounts for 8 percent of the increase, the faucet 2 percent, and the visiting guest 4 percent. The homeowner concludes that the remaining 8 percent is attributable to the broken sprinkler head. What method did the homeowner use in drawing this conclusion?

A) The method of agreement.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of residues.
E) The method of concomitant variation.

Question 11

Table 2C
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 2C?

A) B is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
D) B is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) C is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 12

Table 1C
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 1C?

A) E is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) D is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) E is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
D) E is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) A is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Question 13

Table 2C
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 2C?

A) The method of concomitant variation.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of difference.
D) The joint method of agreement and difference.
E) The method of agreement.

Question 14

A condition X is not a necessary condition for Y if:

A) X is absent when Y is present.
B) X and Y are absent together.
C) X and Y are present together.
D) X is absolute but Y is relative.
E) X is present when Y is absent.

Question 15

Table 1B
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 1B?

A) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
B) A is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) E is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) A is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon..

Question 16

A condition X is not a sufficient condition for Y if:

A) X and Y are present together.
B) X is present when Y is absent.
C) X is absent when Y is present.
D) X is relative but Y is absolute.
E) X and Y are absent together.

Question 17

When we say that throwing a wine glass against a brick wall causes it to break, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

A) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Relative and an absolute condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.

Question 18

When we say that sunshine causes the flowers to bloom, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

A) Relative and an absolute condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.

Question 19

Table 1C
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 1C?

A) The method of residues.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of concomitant variation.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 20

Table 4C
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 4C?

A) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) E is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) F is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 21

When we say that stubbing your toe causes you to feel pain, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

A) Relative and an absolute condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.

Question 22

Table 3B
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 3B?

A) B is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) E is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) D is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) D is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 23

Suppose that a sales consulting firm notices a correlation between the sale of house paint and number of home sales in an area. As the number of home sales increases, the sale of house paint increases, and vice versa. The consulting firm concludes that buying a home causes the new owners to purchase house paint. What method did the consulting firm use in drawing this conclusion?

A) The method of concomitant variation.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of residues.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 24

Table 3A
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 3A?

A) The joint method of agreement and difference.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of agreement.
E) The method of concomitant variation.

Question 25

Table 2A
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 2A?

A) The joint method of agreement and difference.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of concomitant variation.
E) An unnamed method.

Question 26

Table 3B
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 3B?

A) The method of agreement.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of difference.
D) The joint method of agreement and difference.
E) The method of concomitant variation.

Question 27

Suppose that an accountant for a bank notices a 5 percent reduction in profits for a certain quarter of operations. The accountant identifies four sources of increased costs that might account for this: increased salaries for some of the employees, increased utility costs, new computers for one of the departments, and increased real estate taxes. After further study, the accountant finds that each of these is responsible for a 1 percent reduction in profits, which adds up to a total of 4 percent. Unable to account for the final 1 percent loss, the accountant attributes it to embezzlement by one of the employees. What method did the accountant use in drawing this conclusion?

A) The method of agreement.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of residues.
E) The method of concomitant variation.

Question 28

Table 1A
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 1A?

A) The method of concomitant variation.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of difference.
D) An unnamed method.
E) The method of agreement.

Question 29

Table 1A
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 1A?

A) D is a sufficient but not necessary condition for the phenomenon.
B) A is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) E is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) C is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 30

Table 2B
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 2B?

A) C is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) A is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) F is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 31

When we say that electrically charged particles in the atmosphere cause lightning, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

A) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Relative and an absolute condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.

Question 32

The retrospective study described in your textbook in which a nutritionist attempted to determine the effect of several vitamins and minerals on atherosclerosis is closely related to which of Mill's methods?

A) The method of difference.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of concomitant variation.
D) The method of agreement.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 33

The experiment described in your textbook involving the effect of a possible carcinogen on 100 mice is most closely related to which of Mill's methods?

A) The method of concomitant variation.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of agreement.
E) The method of residues.

Question 34

Table 4A
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 4A?

A) E is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) B is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
C) C is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) F is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Question 35

Table 4B
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 4B?

A) B is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
C) C is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
D) C is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) B is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 36

Table 4B
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 4B?

A) The method of residues.
B) The method of concomitant variation.
C) The method of agreement.
D) The method of difference.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 37

When we say that applying a force to the end of a coil spring causes the spring to stretch, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

A) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Relative and an absolute condition.

Question 38

Table 5B
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 5B?

A) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) B is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) C is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Question 39

Table 3A
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 3A?

A) F is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) A is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) C is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Question 40

Table 2A
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 2A?

A) C is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
B) A is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) E is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 41

Suppose that a philosophy professor is able to monitor the amount of time her logic students spend working on a computerized tutorial program. When the students spend 5 hours on the program, their average grade increases by 4 percentage points. When they spend 10 hours on the program, their average grade increases by an additional 4 percentage points, and when they spend 15 hours working on the program, their grades increase by yet an additional 4 percentage points. The professor concludes that work on the tutorial program causes an increase in student grades. What method did the professor use in drawing this conclusion?

A) The method of difference.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of concomitant variation.
D) The method of residues.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 42

Table 5A
Given the following table:
What cause is suggested by the information in Table 5A?

A) C is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
B) B is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) C is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Question 43

Suppose that the owner of an older model Porsche Carrera notices that it takes 7 percent longer for her car to accelerate from zero to sixty than it did when the car was new. From a book relating to relevant parameters, she calculates that 2 percent of the reduction can be attributed to the fact that the car now has larger tires. Also, the alcohol content of the gas accounts for 2 percent, dirty spark plugs for 1 percent, and the fact that she now lives in Los Angeles, where the air is thicker than it was in Denver, where she bought the car, accounts for 1 percent. The owner attributes the remaining 1 percent to general aging of the engine. What method did the owner use in drawing this conclusion?

A) The joint method of agreement and difference.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of concomitant variation.
E) The method of residues.

Question 44

The method used by Henrietta Swan Leavitt in her discovery involving Cepheids, which is described in your textbook, is similar to:

A) The method of agreement.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of concomitant variation.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 45

Table 4A
Given the following table:
What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 4A?

A) The method of difference.
B) The method of concomitant variation.
C) The method of agreement.
D) The method of residues.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.