single cause
/ˌsɪŋɡəl ˈkɔːz/
oversimplifying by attributing an effect to one cause
single cause in a sentence
“The war started because of the assassination—ignoring decades of tension.”
Origin of single cause
From reducing complex causation to a single factor
Related Words
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
false cause
incorrectly identifying the cause of an effect