false cause
/ˌfɔːls ˈkɔːz/
incorrectly identifying the cause of an effect
false cause in a sentence
“Crime rose after the new mayor took office, so she caused it—ignoring other factors.”
Origin of false cause
Latin non causa pro causa (not the cause for the cause)
Related Words
single cause
oversimplifying by attributing an effect to one cause
regression fallacy
failing to account for natural statistical variation
Texas sharpshooter
cherry-picking data to fit a predetermined conclusion
post hoc
assuming causation because one thing followed another
cum hoc
assuming causation because two things occur together
slippery slope
claiming one event will inevitably lead to extreme consequences