OACP Deductive and Inductive Reasoning 3

Question 1

During the OACP test, a passage states: 'Experienced officers always file complete reports. Constable Rivera is experienced.' What must be true?

Accepted Answer

Constable Rivera files complete reports

Answer

Constable Rivera sometimes files complete reports

Answer

Constable Rivera is the best report writer

Answer

Constable Rivera was recently promoted

Question 2

Which of the following best illustrates affirming the consequent — an invalid deductive form?

Accepted Answer

If it is arson, there will be accelerant. There is accelerant. Therefore it is arson.

Answer

If it is arson, there will be accelerant. There is no accelerant. Therefore it is not arson.

Answer

All arsons involve accelerant. This fire has no accelerant. Therefore it is not arson.

Answer

Some fires involve accelerant. This fire has accelerant. Therefore it might be arson.

Question 3

A criminologist reviews records and notes that 85% of repeat offenders in a district were previously convicted of theft. She infers that theft history is a risk factor for reoffending. This reasoning is:

Accepted Answer

Inductive and probabilistic

Answer

Deductive and certain

Answer

Syllogistic and absolute

Answer

Axiomatic and universal

Question 4

An officer's logic: 'Either the witness is lying or mistaken. The witness is not lying. Therefore the witness is mistaken.' This argument uses:

Accepted Answer

Disjunctive syllogism

Answer

Hypothetical syllogism

Answer

Modus ponens

Answer

Inductive generalization

Question 5

In OACP reading comprehension, you encounter: 'Most community policing initiatives reduce fear of crime. Initiative X is a community policing initiative.' The BEST conclusion is:

Accepted Answer

Initiative X will probably reduce fear of crime

Answer

Initiative X will definitely reduce fear of crime

Answer

Initiative X will not reduce fear of crime

Answer

Initiative X is unrelated to fear of crime

Question 6

A supervisor notices five new recruits all struggled with night-shift paperwork in their first month and concludes that all recruits need extra paperwork training at night. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Hasty generalization — a weak inductive fallacy

Answer

Deductive reasoning from policy

Answer

Valid modus tollens

Answer

Sound hypothetical syllogism

Question 7

Which chain of reasoning represents a VALID hypothetical syllogism?

Accepted Answer

If A then B; if B then C; therefore if A then C

Answer

If A then B; B is true; therefore A is true

Answer

If A then B; A is false; therefore B is false

Answer

If A then B; C is true; therefore B is true