Are There Rival Causes? Flashcards
Rival Causes
Plausible alternative explanation that can explain why a certain outcome occured
Cause
To bring about, make happen, or affect
Causal Thinking Indicators
X has the effect of... X leads to.... X influences... X is linked to... X deters... X increases the likelihood X determines... X contributes to... X is associated with...
Detecting Rival Causes
Can I think of any other way to interpret the evidence?
What else might have caused this act or these findings?
If I looked at this from another point of view, what might I see as important causes?
If this interpretation is incorrect, what other interpretation might make sense?
Causal Oversimplification Fallacy
Explaining an event by relying on causal factors that are insufficient to account for the event or by overemphasizing the role of one or more of these factors
Confusion of Cause and Effect Fallacy
Confusing the cause with the effect of an event or failing to recognize that the two events may be influencing each other
Neglect of a Common Cause Fallacy
Failure to recognize that two events may be related because of the effects of a common third factor
Post Hoc Fallacy
Assuming that a particular event, B, is caused by another event, A, simply because B follows A in time.
To Compare Causes
Look at their logical soundness, their consistency with other knowledge that you have, their previous success in explaining or predicting events..
