Chapter 09 Level 2 Quiz

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. A theoretical explanation is a theory, or hypothesis, that tries to explain ________.

how something is done or how an action is carried out correct incorrect

why something is the way it is, why something is the case, or why something happened correct incorrect

the purpose of something, how it functions, or how it fits into a plan correct incorrect

the meaning of terms or states of affairs correct incorrect

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. The criteria of adequacy include ________.

testability, scope, and consistency correct incorrect

testability, complexity, and conservatism correct incorrect

testability, scope, and fruitlessness correct incorrect

testability, scope, and conservatism correct incorrect

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. The best theory is one that ________.

explains everything correct incorrect

explains phenomena better than any alternative theories do correct incorrect

cannot be tested correct incorrect

has never been studied before correct incorrect

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. An ad hoc hypothesis cannot be ________.

verified independently of the phenomenon it is supposed to explain correct incorrect

verified independently in light of alternative theories correct incorrect

stated in a coherent way correct incorrect

understood in any way correct incorrect

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. The first step in the TEST formula is ________.

check the premises correct incorrect

state the theory and check for consistency correct incorrect

scrutinize alternative theories correct incorrect

assess the evidence for the theory correct incorrect

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. The second step in the TEST formula is ________.

check the premises correct incorrect

assess the evidence for the theory correct incorrect

state the theory and check for consistency correct incorrect

scrutinize alternative theories correct incorrect

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. The fourth step in the TEST formula is ________.

test the theories with the criteria of adequacy correct incorrect

state the theory and check for consistency correct incorrect

scrutinize alternative theories correct incorrect

assess the evidence for the theory correct incorrect

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. The theory that makes the fewest assumptions is said to be ________.

conservative correct incorrect

simple correct incorrect

consistent correct incorrect

testable correct incorrect

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. If a theory is externally inconsistent, we have reason to believe that it is ________.

internally consistent correct incorrect

true correct incorrect

false correct incorrect

internally inconsistent correct incorrect

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. If a theory predicts something other than what it was introduced to explain, it is ________.

testable correct incorrect

simple correct incorrect

conservative correct incorrect

superfluous correct incorrect

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. A conservative theory fits with ________.

previous tests correct incorrect

our simplest theory correct incorrect

our political views correct incorrect

our established beliefs correct incorrect

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. Sherlock Holmes's investigative methods are an example of ________.

deduction correct incorrect

inference to the best explanation correct incorrect

propositional logic correct incorrect

categorical logic correct incorrect

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. The best theory is the eligible theory that ________.

meets the criteria of adequacy better than any of its competitors correct incorrect

cannot be undermined by evidence correct incorrect

meets the criterion of consistency correct incorrect

most scientists believe in correct incorrect

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. An untestable theory cannot ________.

be articulated correct incorrect

explain anything correct incorrect

be replaced with a better theory correct incorrect

be preferred correct incorrect

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. Scope refers to ________.

the number of assumptions made correct incorrect

the rules of consistency correct incorrect

the amount of diverse phenomena explained correct incorrect

how well a theory fits with existing knowledge correct incorrect

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. Testable theories include ________.

the theory of evolution correct incorrect

the moral fault theory of disease correct incorrect

the theory of witches correct incorrect

the divine placement theory of fossils correct incorrect

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. The fact that Einstein's theory could explain everything that Newton's theory could explain plus many phenomena that Newton's theory could not explain is indication of the theory's ________.

consistency correct incorrect

scope correct incorrect

conservatism correct incorrect

simplicity correct incorrect

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. The main problem with most conspiracy theories is that they fail the criterion of ________.

scope correct incorrect

plausibility correct incorrect

acceptability correct incorrect

simplicity correct incorrect

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. Fruitful theories are not testable.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. If a theory predicts something other than what it was introduced to explain, it is testable.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. A theory that fits with our established beliefs is conservative.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. "Cats can speak perfect English." According to the text, the main reason for rejecting a theory like this is that it runs afoul of the criterion of testability.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. A theory's strangeness is not a good reason to discount it.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. The moral fault theory of disease is testable.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. Scientists prefer theories that conflict with their established beliefs.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. There is a strict formula for applying the criteria of adequacy.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. Inference to the best explanation is used only in science.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. Conspiracy theories usually do poorly when judged by the criterion of simplicity.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. Failure to consider alternative theories is the archetypal mistake in inquiries into the paranormal or supernatural.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect

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. Charles Darwin offered the theory of evolution by natural selection as the best explanation for a wide variety of natural phenomena.

True correct incorrect

False correct incorrect