#5 - The population of songbirds throughout England has decreased in recent years. Many people

[Administrator]

Complete Question Explanation

Weaken. The correct answer choice is (C).

Answer choice (A):

Answer choice (B):

Answer choice (C): This is the correct answer choice.

Answer choice (D):

Answer choice (E):

This explanation is still in progress. Please post any questions below!

[theTRSlegend]

I chose C but want to confirm my thought process. Is the answer correct since we are showing that the effect occurred without the cause (songbird population decreased in spite of the population of magpies remaining neutral in areas where the songbird population decreased)?

Thanks!!

[Ryan Twomey]

Hello theTRS legend,

Yes your reasoning is perfect! This answer choice is straight out of the causal lesson in the powerscore books and demonstrates an example where we weaken the causal argument by showing that the cause occurs without the stated effect. Great job.

The five ways to weaken a causal argument in the powerscore book are as follows:

1. Find an alternative cause
2. Show when the cause occurs the effect does not occur
3. Show that when the effect occurs the cause did not occur
4. Show that the relationship is reversed
5. Show that there is a statistical problem with the data used to make the causal argument.

To strengthen a causal argument, do the logical opposite of these five mentioned above.

I hope this helps, and I wish you all of the luck in your studies.

Best,
Ryan