What Is the "Omitted Variable" Problem in Determining Cause and Effect

question 212

Multiple Choice

What is the "omitted variable" problem in determining cause and effect?

• A)It is a problem that arises when an insignificant variable is given too much weight in an economic analysis leading to skewed conclusions about cause and effect.
• B)It is a problem that arises when a significant variable is not given enough weight in an economic experiment leading to skewed conclusions about cause and effect.
• C)It is a problem that arises when an insignificant economic variable that should have been omitted is included in an economic experiment leading to false conclusions about cause and effect.
• D)It is a problem that arises when an economic variable that affects other variables is omitted from an analysis and its omission leads to false conclusions about cause and effect.

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Definitions:

Unconditioned Stimulus

In classical conditioning, a stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without prior conditioning.

Internal Attributions

The tendency to explain one's own behavior and the behavior of others based on internal, character-based factors.

Self-Serving Bias

A cognitive bias where individuals attribute their successes to internal factors and their failures to external factors.

Fundamental Attribution Error

The cognitive bias that leads individuals to overemphasize personal traits and underestimate the influence of situational factors when explaining other people's behavior.