Ecological fallacy:
Mathematical/Conceptual Fallacy
| Definition | Example |
| When inferences about the nature of specific individuals are based solely upon aggregate statistics collected for the group to which those individuals belong. | Because the average German is taller than me, you won’t find a German who is shorter than me. |
| Also known as: distribution fallacy | |
| Notes | |
| Averages are useful when a higher resolution of the context would be cumbersome. However, there may be some contexts where an understanding of the actual distribution of the measurments is required. | |
Case Study One
In a part of town with many nursing homes and nursery schools, the average age may be 35. It would be a mistake, however, to then expect to see many middle-age individuals in that part of town.
Case Study Two
The average income of many countries is largely uninformative since there exists a large income gap between the rich and poor.
Keep in mind that a fallacious argument does not entail an erroneous position.
Advertisements
