FAST Critical Thinking and Decision Making

Question 1

A manager receives two reports: Report A shows that 80% of employees prefer remote work, while Report B shows that productivity dropped 15% after remote work was introduced. What is the most critical thinking error if the manager concludes 'Remote work is bad because productivity dropped'?

Accepted Answer

Assuming causation from correlation without ruling out other factors

Answer

Concluding that remote work caused the productivity drop assumes causation from correlation without considering confounding variables such as the transition period, lack of infrastructure, or simultaneous events.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes a 'false dilemma' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Presenting only two options as if they are the only possibilities when more exist

Answer

A false dilemma presents only two choices as exhaustive when additional alternatives actually exist, artificially limiting the decision space.

Question 3

An analyst notices that ice cream sales and drowning incidents both increase in summer. She concludes that eating ice cream causes drowning. Which critical thinking principle does this violate most directly?

Accepted Answer

The distinction between correlation and causation

Answer

Both variables are linked to a third factor (hot weather/summer), so concluding causation from correlation alone is a fundamental critical thinking error.

Question 4

When evaluating a source of information, which factor is MOST important for determining its credibility?

Accepted Answer

The source provides verifiable evidence and cites primary references

Answer

Credible sources provide verifiable evidence and cite primary references, allowing independent verification rather than relying on popularity or tone.

Question 5

A company's sales increased 40% after a new CEO was hired. A board member concludes the CEO is responsible for the improvement. What type of reasoning error is this?

Accepted Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc (after this, therefore because of this)

Answer

Post hoc reasoning incorrectly assumes that because one event followed another, the first event caused the second, without evidence of a causal mechanism.

(FAST) Future Aptitude Selection Tool Practice Test

(FAST) Future Aptitude Selection Tool Practice Test

FAST Critical Thinking and Decision Making