Detecting Denial Techniques: Quiz 3

 

The following are techniques used to deny science. Some techniques are sub-classes of others (e.g., ad hominem is a logical fallacy, false choice is an oversimplification).

 

  • Fake Experts: Presenting an unqualified person or institution as a source of credible information.
  • Logical Fallacies: Arguments where the conclusion doesn’t logically follow from the premises. Also known as a non sequitur.
    • Ad Hominem: Attacking the person/group instead of addressing their argument.
    • Misrepresentation:  Misrepresenting a situation or an opponent's position in such a way as to distort understanding.
    • Oversimplification: Simplifying a situation in such a way as to distort understanding, leading to erroneous conclusions.
      • False Choice: Presenting two options as the only possibilities, when other possibilities exist.
      • Single Cause: Assuming a single cause or reason when there might be multiple causes or reasons.
    • Red Herring: Diverting attention to an irrelevant point to distract from the original argument.
  • Impossible Expectations: Demanding unrealistic standards of certainty before acting on the science.
  • Cherry Picking: Carefully selecting data that appear to confirm one position while ignoring other data that contradicts that position.
  • Conspiracy Theory: Proposing a secret plan to implement a nefarious scheme such as hiding a truth or perpetuating misinformation.
  • None of the Above: Statement is logically valid and doesn't contain any of the denial techniques listed above.

Identify the denial technique that best matches the arguments below (note that some arguments may not contain a denial technique). You will receive your score after you complete the quiz.

Disagreements among evolutionary biologists show how little solid science supports evolution.
The U.S. Presidential election is decided by the Electoral College. Donald Trump won the Electoral College in 2016. Therefore he is the rightful President.
You can’t believe Dr. Dawkins’ claim that there’s no evidence for life after death. After all, he’s an atheist.
Scientists cannot prove the existence of ghosts. Therefore, ghosts are not real.
All birds lay eggs. A chicken lays eggs. Therefore a chicken is a bird.
Evolution is unscientific because it is not testable or falsifiable.
We must stop using cars or we will destroy the Earth.
Plants need carbon dioxide to live and wheat is a plant. So wheat must need carbon dioxide to live.
If you don't like the way our country is, you can just leave.
It doesn’t matter that I ate a burger and extra large fries, because I ate an apple afterwards.
We shouldn’t drink water—it’s the leading cause of drowning!
Birds fly so gravity is a hoax.
Taylor Swift’s music is the best because she writes her own songs.
Denver International Airport stands above an underground city which serves as a headquarters of the New World Order.
Gastroenterologist and medical expert Andrew Wakefield concluded that vaccines cause autism so we shouldn’t vaccinate children.
He’s skinny because he eats vegetables.