base rate fallacy

noun

A common error in logical reasoning where an effect is attributed to an incorrect cause because the basic statistical ratios have not been taken into account.

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Meanings

nounbase rate fallacy (plural base rate fallacies)

plural base rate fallacies

  1. A common error in logical reasoning where an effect is attributed to an incorrect cause because the basic statistical ratios have not been taken into account.
Cite this entry
APA

base rate fallacy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/base%20rate%20fallacy

MLA

“base rate fallacy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/base%20rate%20fallacy. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “base rate fallacy,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/base%20rate%20fallacy.

Source: base rate fallacy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.