Question

section 2: reasoning, innocence project & eyewitness testimony (true/false)
write true or false on the line provided.

1. inductive reasoning starts with observations and moves toward general conclusions.
2. deductive reasoning starts with a general idea and applies it to a specific case.
3. the innocence project works to prove guilt using dna evidence.
4. faulty eyewitness identification is a major cause of wrongful convictions.
5. the innocence project uses scientific evidence to help free innocent people.
6. memory and perception can be easily influenced by stress or suggestion.
7. deductive reasoning is commonly used when forming a hypothesis.
8. inductive reasoning guarantees the truth of the conclusion.
9. eyewitness accounts are never used in court.
10. forensic scientists rely on reasoning to draw conclusions from evidence.

Explanation:

• 11. Inductive reasoning: Inductive reasoning begins with specific observations and then generalizes to broader conclusions. For example, observing many white swans and concluding "all swans are white" (though this is a flawed example as black swans exist, but the process is observation - to - generalization). So, the statement is correct.
• 12. Deductive reasoning: Deductive reasoning starts with a general principle (like “all men are mortal”) and applies it to a specific case (Socrates is a man, so Socrates is mortal). So, the statement is correct.
• 13. Innocence Project: The Innocence Project aims to prove innocence (not guilt) using DNA evidence. So, the statement is incorrect.
• 14. Eyewitness identification: Faulty eyewitness identification has been shown through research (e.g., studies on memory distortion) to be a major cause of wrongful convictions. So, the statement is correct.
• 15. Innocence Project: The Innocence Project uses scientific evidence (including DNA, which is a form of scientific evidence) to exonerate innocent people. So, the statement is correct.
• 16. Memory and perception: Psychological research (e.g., studies on suggestibility in memory, like the misinformation effect) shows that memory and perception can be influenced by stress (e.g., during a crime) or suggestion (e.g., leading questions). So, the statement is correct.
• 17. Deductive reasoning in hypothesis - forming: Deductive reasoning is not typically used when forming a hypothesis. Hypothesis - forming is more associated with inductive reasoning (observing patterns and making a tentative generalization). So, the statement is incorrect.
• 18. Inductive reasoning and truth guarantee: Inductive reasoning does not guarantee the truth of the conclusion. It provides support for the conclusion, but there is always a possibility of new evidence disproving it (as in the swan example). So, the statement is incorrect.
• 19. Eyewitness accounts in court: Eyewitness accounts are commonly used in court, although their reliability is a matter of debate. So, the statement is incorrect.
• 20. Forensic scientists and reasoning: Forensic scientists use both inductive (e.g., analyzing patterns in evidence across cases) and deductive (applying scientific principles to a specific crime scene) reasoning to draw conclusions from evidence. So, the statement is correct.

Answer:

1. True
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. False
8. False
9. False
10. True