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Evolving null hypotheses and the base rate fallacy: A functional interpretation of scientific myth

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 1997

Brian J. Gibbs
Affiliation:
Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-5015 gibbs-brian@gsb.stanford.edu

Abstract

The meaning of an experimental result depends on the experiment's conceptual backdrop, particularly its null hypothesis. This observation provides the basis for a functional interpretation of belief in the base rate fallacy. On this interpretation, if the base rate fallacy is to be labelled a “myth,” then it should be recognized that this label is not necessarily a disparaging one.

Type
Continuing Commentary
Copyright
© 1997 Cambridge University Press

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