Detecting Denial Techniques: Quiz 6

 

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.
    • Bulk Fake Experts: Citing large numbers of seeming experts to argue that there is no scientific consensus on a topic.
    • Fake Debate: Presenting science and pseudoscience in an adversarial format to give the false impression of an ongoing scientific debate.
  • 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.
    • Ambiguity: Using ambiguous language in order to lead to a misleading conclusion.
    • False Analogy: Assuming that because two things are alike in some ways, they are alike in some other respect.
    • Misrepresentation:  Misrepresenting a situation or an opponent's position in such a way as to distort understanding.
      • Straw Man: Misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent’s position to make it easier to attack.
    • 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.
    • Moving the Goalposts: Demanding higher levels of evidence after receiving requested levels of evidence.
  • Cherry Picking: Carefully selecting data that appear to confirm one position while ignoring other data that contradicts that position.
    • Anecdote: Using personal experience or isolated examples instead of sound arguments or compelling evidence.
    • Slothful Induction: Ignoring relevant evidence when coming to a conclusion. Similar to cherry picking but with an emphasis on neglecting inconvenient information rather than highlighting convenient information.
  • 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.

Sure, Obama released his long form birth certificate but where’s the proof that his mother was in the hospital at the time?
Jeffrey Epstein’s death was orchestrated to hide past crimes of Donald Trump.
Over 1000 PhD scientists have expressed skepticism of the ability of random mutation and natural selection to account for the complexity of life.
I said I’d never speak again to my ex-girlfriend. And I didn’t—I just sent her some pictures and text messages.
I just ate a sour cherry so all the cherries must be sour.
It's no exaggeration to say the undecideds could go one way or another.
Jeffrey Epstein’s death was orchestrated to hide past crimes of Bill Clinton.
I once used an anecdote as an argument and turned out to be right!
In the following examples, choose the argument that best matches the denialist technique: 
Impossible Expectations
Ad Hominem
Straw Man
Single Cause
Slothful Induction