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Test your basic knowledge |
Common Logical Flaws
Start Test
Study First
Subject
:
logic-and-reasoning
Instructions:
Answer 20 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Takes a small number of instances and treats those instances as if they support a broad - sweeping conclusion (often appears as an incorrect answer)
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
False Analogy
Numbers and Percentage Errors
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
2. 1. Assuming a causal relationship on the basis of the sequence of events 2. Assuming a causal relationship when only a correlation exists 3. Failure to consider an alternative cause for the effect 4. Failure to consider that the events may be reverse
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Internal Contradiction
Mistaken Cause and Effect
3. The author improperly equates a percentage with a definite quantity or uses quantity information to make a judgment about the percentage represented by that quantity.
Numbers and Percentage Errors
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
4. 1. The survey uses a biased sample. 2. The survey questions are improperly constructed. 3. Respondents to the survey give inaccurate responses.
Survey Errors
Straw Man
Error of Division
Circular Reasoning
5. The author misuses information to such a degree that they fail to provide any information to support their conclusion or present information irrelevant to the conclusion
Appeal to Emotion
Survey Errors
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
False Dilemma
6. This type of flawed argument attacks the person (or source) instead of the argument advanced
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
False Analogy
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Survey Errors
7. Using a term in different ways is inherently confusing and undermines the integrity of the argument
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Appeal to Authority
False Analogy
Errors in the Use of Evidence
8. Assumes that conditions will remain constant over time - and that what was the case in the past will be case in the future.
Error of Composition
False Dilemma
Numbers and Percentage Errors
Time-Shift Errors
9. The author attempts to attack an opponent's position by ignoring the actual statements made by the opposing speaker and instead distorts the argument - making it weaker in the process
False Dilemma
Straw Man
Internal Contradiction
Appeal to Authority
10. This error states that a position is true because the majority believes it to be true
Error of Composition
Straw Man
Circular Reasoning
Appeal to Popular Opinion
11. Occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of part of the group to the group as a whole or to each member of the group
Circular Reasoning
Error of Composition
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Error of Division
12. The author uses an analogy too dissimilar to the original situation to be applicable
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Circular Reasoning
False Dilemma
False Analogy
13. The author mistakes a necessary condition for a sufficient condition - or vise-versa
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Internal Contradiction
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
14. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements
Error of Composition
Survey Errors
Internal Contradiction
False Dilemma
15. 1. Lack of evidence for a position is take to prove that position is false. 2. Lack of evidence against a position is taken to prove that position is true.
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Internal Contradiction
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Numbers and Percentage Errors
16. Assumes that only two courses of action are available when there may be others
False Dilemma
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
False Analogy
Error of Composition
17. The author assumes as true What is supposed to be proved
Circular Reasoning
False Dilemma
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
18. Occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of the whole to a part of the group
Error of Division
Error of Composition
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
19. Uses the opinion of an authority in an attempt to persuade the reader
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Error of Composition
Appeal to Authority
Error of Division
20. Occurs when emotions or emotionally-charged language is used in an attempt to persuade the reader
Numbers and Percentage Errors
Appeal to Emotion
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)