A Psychic Claims That He Can Read the Minds of People

question 178

Multiple Choice

A psychic claims that he can read the minds of people on the planet Zipton, which is millions of light years away. The main scientific objection is that this claim

• A) confuses correlation with causation.
• B) ignores the role of demand characteristics.
• C) is based on a negative correlation.
• D) is not falsifiable.

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Definitions:

Protonephridia

A network of tubules with ciliated structures known as flame cells that function in excretion and osmoregulation in certain invertebrates.

Metanephridia

The excretory organs of annelids and mollusks; each consists of a tubule open at both ends; at one end a ciliated funnel opens into the coelom, and the other end opens to the outside of the body.

Osmoregulation

The process by which living organisms regulate the concentration of water and solutes within their bodies to maintain homeostasis.

False Statement

A claim or assertion that is not in accordance with facts or truth.