Campus Life
A student surveys four classmates about group projects. All four dislike them, so the student concludes, “College students hate group projects.”
What is hasty generalization?
Why: A conclusion about college students generally is being drawn from an extremely small sample.
A supplement has millions of views and thousands of comments from people saying it changed their lives. Someone decides it must work because so many people are using it.
What is Bandwagon Fallacy/Appeal to Popularity?
Why: The person is treating popularity as proof that the product is effective.
A home security commercial shows a frightened family looking through a broken window and warns viewers, “Your home could be next.”
What is an appeal to fear?
Why: The advertisement is trying to persuade by creating fear rather than by providing evidence about how effective the product actually is.
After seeing several airplane accidents receive extensive news coverage, someone becomes convinced that flying is extremely dangerous, even though they have not looked at broader safety statistics.
What is availability bias?
Why: Dramatic examples are easy to remember, so they feel more common or likely than the broader evidence may support.
A student wants to know how connected commuter students feel to campus, but distributes the survey only at a student organization fair.
What is sampling bias?
Why: Students who attend a club fair may already be more engaged or connected than commuter students who leave campus immediately after class, so the sample may not fairly represent the larger group.
During a discussion about whether the college should change its attendance policy, someone says, “Why should we care what Marcus thinks? He skips class all the time.”
Answer: What is ad hominem?
Why: Marcus's behavior is being used to dismiss his argument rather than addressing the argument itself.
During a discussion about motorcycle safety, someone says, “I know motorcycles are extremely dangerous because my cousin crashed one and was badly injured.”
What is anecdotal evidence?
Why: One personal experience is being used as evidence in place of broader or more representative information.
A famous actor appears in an advertisement recommending a nutritional supplement and tells viewers that it is safe and effective, even though the actor has no medical or scientific expertise.
What is appeal to authority, or appeal to false authority?
Why: The argument relies on the celebrity’s status rather than relevant expertise or reliable evidence.
A used car is originally listed for $24,000. Even after learning that similar cars typically sell for much less, the buyer continues judging every later offer against that first $24,000 price.
What is anchoring bias?
Why: The first number presented becomes the reference point for later judgments, even after better information becomes available.
A survey asks: “How frustrating is the lack of campus activities available to commuter students?”
What is leading question bias or question wording bias?
Why: The wording assumes both that there is a lack of activities and that students find that situation frustrating, which may push respondents toward a particular answer.
A student says, “Either professors completely ban AI from writing classes or eventually students will not know how to write anything themselves.”
What is a false dilemma?
Why: The speaker reduces a complicated issue to two extreme possibilities.
A student already believes college athletes receive unfair special treatment. They mostly follow accounts that complain about athlete privileges and pay little attention to posts describing athletes struggling with schedules, academics, or team responsibilities.
What is confirmation bias?
Why: The student is giving more attention to information that supports an existing belief while overlooking evidence that could complicate it.
A news commentator says a proposal to remove one graduation requirement proves that its supporters “want students to graduate without having to meet academic standards.”
What is a straw man?
Why: The commentator has distorted the original proposal into a more extreme position that is easier to criticize.
A person starts drinking a new energy drink during finals week and earns their best exam grade of the semester. They conclude, “That drink is why I did so well.”
What is false cause?
Why: The fact that the drink came before the strong exam performance does not prove that it caused the better grade.
A researcher wants to determine whether commuter students are involved in campus life. The survey measures involvement only by asking how often students attend official clubs, events, and activities.
What is measurement bias?
Why: The measure may fail to capture other meaningful forms of involvement, such as friendships, study groups, online communities, academic connections, campus jobs, or informal participation.