The fact that different expressions of emotions tend to appear across cultures might lead one to believe that these expressions are evolutionarily based, and not affected by culture. At the same time, another explanation of this similarity is that because many people have been exposed to Western culture, they have taken on Western facial expressions of emotions. This alternative explanation for the apparent universality of emotional expression demonstrates which principle of critical thinking?
A)Occam's Razor
B)Correlation versus causation
C)Ruling out rival hypotheses
D)Extraordinary claims

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The alternative explanation proposed here is a rival hypothesis that can explain the same phenomenon as the first explanation (evolutionary basis) and therefore needs to be ruled out. This principle of critical thinking is known as ruling out rival hypotheses.

The Fact That Different Expressions of Emotions Tend to Appear