Critical Thinking Flashcards

Which of the following best defines a 'straw man' fallacy?

Answer: Exaggerating or misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack

A straw man fallacy involves distorting someone's argument into a weaker version that is easier to defeat.

In an experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?

Answer: To provide a baseline comparison by not receiving the experimental treatment

The control group establishes a baseline so that the effects of the treatment can be accurately measured.

Which approach best reflects strong critical thinking when reading a news article?

Answer: Identifying the author's credentials, publication bias, and checking other sources

Strong critical thinking involves evaluating source credibility and cross-referencing information.

The argument 'This herbal supplement must be safe because it is natural' commits which fallacy?

Answer: Appeal to nature

The appeal to nature fallacy incorrectly assumes that natural things are inherently good or safe.

Which of the following is the strongest evidence for a causal claim?

Answer: Results from a randomized controlled experiment replicated multiple times

Randomized controlled experiments that have been replicated provide the strongest evidence for causation.

A student concludes that video games cause aggression because aggressive teens play more video games. What is the flaw?

Answer: The student confused correlation with causation and ignored alternative explanations

Correlation between two variables does not establish that one causes the other; third variables may explain both.

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

Answer: Knowing all squares are rectangles and concluding a specific square is a rectangle

Deductive reasoning applies a general rule to a specific case to reach a certain conclusion.