Question

After a couple of cars were broken into, neighbors began to believe that there was a crime spree occurring in their neighborhood. In fact, many were reporting minor dings and scratches on their cars to the police, claiming that criminals had tried to break in and steal their cars. The police believed that the original crimes were isolated incidents carried out by teenagers as nothing was stolen. Which of the six principles of scientific thinking does this example best fit?
A. Extraordinary claims
B. Replicability
C. Occam's Razor
D. Ruling out rival hypotheses

Answer 1

Answer:

The answer is C. Occam's Razor.

Explanation:

This principle states that the simplest explanation is probably the right one. It is called razor because it "cuts out" unnecesary elements in an investigation.

In the example, the police officers assume that the most likely explanation is the most common and simplest one, based on their own experience.