A Common and Very Dangerous Misconception Often Seen on the Internet

question 292

Multiple Choice

A common and very dangerous misconception often seen on the Internet is the idea that a childhood immunization, the MMR vaccine, causes autism. This is completely false, but began when a man published a falsified and now discredited paper making that claim. He was later found to have received money from lawyers representing parents of children with autism who wanted to sue the vaccine companies. Which criterion of critical thinking is most clearly being violated by those who accepted the false claim?

• A) All evidence is not equal in quality.
• B) Authority or claimed expertise does not make something true.
• C) Very few "truths" do not need to be tested.
• D) Keep an open mind.

---

Definitions:

Behaviorally Specific Questions

Questions tailored to elicit detailed and action-oriented responses by focusing on specific behaviors or events.

FMLA Leave

Refers to the Family and Medical Leave Act in the United States, allowing eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons.

Sick Leave

A paid or unpaid absence from work that an employee is allowed to take because of illness.

Vacation Allotments

The designated amounts of vacation time given to employees by an organization as part of their benefits package.