Understanding Inductive Fallacies and Cognitive Biases

Inductive Fallacy

When there isn't enough evidence to support reasoning in an inductive argument.

Argument from Analogy

Comparing one thing to another and saying that they correlate because they have similar qualities.

Weak Analogy

When those two things aren't alike in important ways.

Generalization

Having multiple samples and associating it with the rest of the population.

Hasty Generalization

Having too small a sample and saying that because it has a certain quality that all of the population will also have that.

Biased Generalization

Saying that because you saw one person smoke, that everyone does.

Causal Argument

An argument that says one thing causes another.

Slippery Slope

A fallacy that says when one bad thing happens then it leads to a chain reaction of bad events.

Post Hoc Fallacy

A fallacy that says just because one thing happened before another, it caused it.

Cognitive Biases

Mental errors or shortcuts in our thinking when we try to think quickly.

Dunning-Kruger Effect

People with low ability/knowledge tend to overstimulate themselves and vice versa.