Question 1

Table 3C
Given the following table: 
-What cause is suggested by the information in Table 3C?
A) C is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) A is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) A is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

Table 5C
Given the following table: 
-What cause is suggested by the information in Table 5C?
A) A is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) B is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The table suggests that F (TB6612_00) is a necessary condition for the phenomenon, as it appears in all five cases. However, it is not a sufficient condition, as other factors or components may be required for the phenomenon to occur. Therefore, option C is the best choice.

Question 3

The controlled experiment in science is most closely related to which of Mill's methods?
A) The method of residues.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of concomitant variation.
D) The method of agreement.
E) The method of difference.

Accepted Answer

The controlled experiment is most closely related to Mill's method of difference, which involves comparing two situations that are identical except for one factor, allowing the effect of that factor to be isolated.

Question 4

Suppose that a sociologist notices a correlation between the rate of personal bankruptcy filings and the suicide rate. As the bankruptcy rate increases, the suicide rare increases, and vice versa. The sociologist concludes that personal bankruptcy is a cause of suicide. What method did the sociologist use in drawing this conclusion?
A) The method of concomitant variation.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of residues.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Accepted Answer

The sociologist used the method of concomitant variation, which involves observing a correlation between two variables and concluding that a change in one variable causes a change in the other. In this case, the sociologist noticed that as the rate of personal bankruptcy filings increased, the suicide rate also increased. Therefore, they concluded that personal bankruptcy causes suicides.

Question 5

When we say that an electric current flowing through the filament of a light bulb causes the bulb to produce light, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:
A) Relative and an absolute condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.

Accepted Answer

When we say that an electric current flowing through the filament of a light bulb causes the bulb to produce light, we mean that the presence of the electric current is a necessary condition for the light to be produced, and it is also a sufficient condition for the light to be produced. Without the electric current, there would be no light, and with the electric current, the light will always be produced. Thus, the relationship between the electric current and the light produced can be described as a necessary and sufficient condition, which is the best fit for option B.

Question 6

Table 1B
Given the following table: 
-What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 1B?
A) The method of agreement.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of concomitant variation.
E) The method of residues.

Accepted Answer

Table 1B suggests a possible cause for a given effect by comparing multiple instances where the effect is present or absent, and identifying a potential difference between them (method of difference), while also ensuring that the same potential cause is present in all instances where the effect is present (method of agreement). Therefore, the method used in Table 1B is the joint method of agreement and difference.

Question 7

When we say that water droplets in the atmosphere cause a rainbow to appear, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:
A) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Relative and an absolute condition.

Accepted Answer

Water droplets in the atmosphere are a necessary condition for a rainbow to appear because without them, the physical process of light refraction and dispersion that creates a rainbow cannot occur. However, they are not a sufficient condition on their own, as other factors such as the presence of sunlight and the observer's position relative to the sun are also required.

Question 8

Table 3C
Given the following table: 
-What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 3C?
A) The method of difference.
B) The method of concomitant variation.
C) The method of agreement.
D) The method of residues.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Accepted Answer

The joint method of agreement and difference combines both the method of agreement (identifying what is common in different instances where the effect occurs) and the method of difference (comparing a case where the effect occurs with a case where it does not, under similar circumstances except for one factor). This combination allows for a more robust determination of causality by both identifying the common factor present when the effect occurs and ensuring that this factor's presence or absence is what makes the difference in the outcome.

Question 9

The correlational method used in the social sciences is closely related to which of Mill's methods?
A) The method of agreement.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of concomitant variation.
D) The joint method of agreement and difference.
E) The method of difference.

Accepted Answer

The correlational method involves examining the relationship between two or more variables, and determining if and how they vary together (or, possibly, apart). This is similar to Mill's method of concomitant variation, which involves observing how two variables vary together or in relation to one another. Both methods are concerned with detecting patterns or associations between variables, rather than establishing causal relationships.

Question 10

Suppose that a homeowner notices a 20 percent increase in the water bill for July. The homeowner traces this increase to four sources: a running toilet, a dripping faucet, a guest who visited for two days, and a broken sprinkler head. Further study shows that the broken toilet accounts for 8 percent of the increase, the faucet 2 percent, and the visiting guest 4 percent. The homeowner concludes that the remaining 8 percent is attributable to the broken sprinkler head. What method did the homeowner use in drawing this conclusion?
A) The method of agreement.
B) The joint method of agreement and difference.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of residues.
E) The method of concomitant variation.

Accepted Answer

The homeowner used the method of residues, which involves isolating the effect of one cause by subtracting the effects of all known causes from the total effect. In this case, the homeowner subtracted the effects of the running toilet, dripping faucet, and visiting guest from the total increase in the water bill in order to determine the effect of the broken sprinkler head.

Question 11

Table 2C
Given the following table: 
-What cause is suggested by the information in Table 2C?
A) B is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
D) B is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) C is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Table 2C
Given the following table: 
-What cause...

Question 12

Table 1C
Given the following table: 
-What cause is suggested by the information in Table 1C?
A) E is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
B) D is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) E is a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
D) E is a necessary and sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
E) A is a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

In Table 1C, the identifier "E" is listed under the "Necessary Conditions" column, suggesting that E is required for the phenomenon to occur, making option C the correct choice. There is no information given to suggest that E is sufficient on its own to cause the phenomenon, so options A and D can be ruled out. The table does not provide any information about the sufficiency or necessity of condition D, so option B can also be ruled out. Option E, which references condition A, is irrelevant as no information is given in the table about the relationship between A and the phenomenon.

Question 13

Table 2C
Given the following table: 
-What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 2C?
A) The method of concomitant variation.
B) The method of residues.
C) The method of difference.
D) The joint method of agreement and difference.
E) The method of agreement.

Accepted Answer

The method of difference involves comparing cases where the effect occurs with cases where it does not, while all other conditions remain the same, to identify the cause.

Question 14

A condition X is not a necessary condition for Y if:
A) X is absent when Y is present.
B) X and Y are absent together.
C) X and Y are present together.
D) X is absolute but Y is relative.
E) X is present when Y is absent.

Accepted Answer

A condition X is not necessary for Y if Y can occur without X being present.

Question 15

Table 1B
Given the following table: 
-What cause is suggested by the information in Table 1B?
A) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
B) A is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) F is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) E is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) A is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon..

Accepted Answer

The answer of Table 1B
Given the following table: 
-What cause...

Question 16

A condition X is not a sufficient condition for Y if:
A) X and Y are present together.
B) X is present when Y is absent.
C) X is absent when Y is present.
D) X is relative but Y is absolute.
E) X and Y are absent together.

Accepted Answer

CFor a condition X to be sufficient for Y, whenever X occurs, Y must also occur. If X is present when Y is absent (B), it shows that X alone cannot guarantee the occurrence of Y, thus it is not sufficient. Similarly, if X is absent when Y is present (C), it indicates that Y can occur without X, further showing that X is not a sufficient condition for Y.

Question 17

When we say that throwing a wine glass against a brick wall causes it to break, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:
A) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Relative and an absolute condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.

Accepted Answer

Throwing a wine glass against a brick wall is a sufficient condition for it to break because if the action occurs, the glass will break. However, it's not a necessary condition because there are other ways a wine glass can break, not just by being thrown against a brick wall.

Question 18

When we say that sunshine causes the flowers to bloom, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:
A) Relative and an absolute condition.
B) Necessary and a sufficient condition.
C) Sufficient but not a necessary condition.
D) Relative but not an absolute condition.
E) Necessary but not a sufficient condition.

Accepted Answer

Sunshine is a necessary condition for flowers to bloom, but it is not a sufficient condition. Other factors, such as water and nutrients, are also necessary for flowers to bloom.

Question 19

Table 1C
Given the following table: 
-What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 1C?
A) The method of residues.
B) The method of agreement.
C) The method of difference.
D) The method of concomitant variation.
E) The joint method of agreement and difference.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Table 1C
Given the following table: 
-What method...

Question 20

Table 4C
Given the following table: 
-What cause is suggested by the information in Table 4C?
A) D is a sufficient but not a necessary condition for the phenomenon.
B) C is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
C) B is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the phenomenon.
D) E is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.
E) F is a sufficient and necessary condition for the phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Table 4C
Given the following table: 
-What cause...

Quiz 10: Causality and Mills Methods

Table 3C Given the following table: -What cause is suggested by the information in Table 3C?

Table 5C Given the following table: -What cause is suggested by the information in Table 5C?

The controlled experiment in science is most closely related to which of Mill's methods?

When we say that an electric current flowing through the filament of a light bulb causes the bulb to produce light, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

Table 1B Given the following table: -What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 1B?

When we say that water droplets in the atmosphere cause a rainbow to appear, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

Table 3C Given the following table: -What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 3C?

The correlational method used in the social sciences is closely related to which of Mill's methods?

Table 2C Given the following table: -What cause is suggested by the information in Table 2C?

Table 1C Given the following table: -What cause is suggested by the information in Table 1C?

Table 2C Given the following table: -What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 2C?

A condition X is not a necessary condition for Y if:

Table 1B Given the following table: -What cause is suggested by the information in Table 1B?

A condition X is not a sufficient condition for Y if:

When we say that throwing a wine glass against a brick wall causes it to break, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

When we say that sunshine causes the flowers to bloom, we mean 'cause' in the sense of a:

Table 1C Given the following table: -What method was used to determine the cause suggested by Table 1C?

Table 4C Given the following table: -What cause is suggested by the information in Table 4C?